David Beckham has hailed England's current squad as one of the best he has ever seen and urged supporters to get behind the team when they play at Wembley.

The 34-year-old also spoke of his pride at the prospect of surpassing Bobby Moore's 108-cap record for an outfield player if he features in Saturday's friendly against Slovakia or next Wednesday's World Cup qualifier with Ukraine.

Beckham believes Fabio Capello's side now have the right blend of youth and experience to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals and become a major force in South Africa.

He said: “It's one of the best squads, without doubt. But there have been times in other squads where I have felt exactly the same. Playing under Glenn Hoddle, we produced some great stuff and under Sven-Goran Eriksson we were successful in qualifying and things like that.

“Each squad is different but this one is special because we have so many talented young players. People talk about young players not having experience but that doesn't matter because they have confidence and they only gain experience by playing in big games.

“Almost every one of these players have played in high level football and they do that week in, week out. So I don't think that is a problem any more.”

England have struggled to produce their best form at home amid instances of supporters booing their own players but Beckham said: “You can go to a place like Wembley and be exceptional every game but we haven't had that.

“We have had the odd occasion, a good first half or second half where we have played good football but we need to make it our home.

“At the moment, I don't think we have done that yet. We have proved what a good team we are and what good players we have away from home. Now it's time to do it at home.”

Beckham is likely to begin Saturday's match on the bench, with Capello resisting the temptation to give the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder his 100th international start.

However, it appears inevitable that Moore's tally will be broken but Beckham insisted he has not targeted Peter Shilton's all-time record of 125 caps.

“Every time I meet up with England its a huge honour. I think every player feels like that when you meet up with the squad. To be on the amount of caps that I am at the moment is a great honour for me of course.

“I am honoured because when I was on 94 or 95 caps, I never expected to make 100. And when I made 100 people expected me to retire so to get to 109, I am happy with that.

“It would be special to start the match but I am just happy to be in the squad and hopefully making that 109th. Whether it comes as a start or substitute, however I get it, its more important that I am here — its more about getting the team to the World Cup.

“I think people have already started talking about Shilton's record. Everyone has got their opinion but I am not looking at that record at the moment. I take each game as it comes because I know how quickly it can change.

“Being at AC Milan gives me more of a chance to be at that high level required to play international football. But we will see, I am enjoying being with the squad.”

Beckham's durability throughout his career is admirable and the decision to move to Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy has been thoroughly vindicated. Not only has the switch restored his credibility on the international stage but previously slack fitness levels have received a timely boost.

“When I first arrived in Dubai with Milan, my body fat was 13.7 per cent and now its at 8.5 per cent,” said Beckham.

“So it was more about the fitness side than anything else, but I have had to adjust my game to the Italian game. I had to do that when I went to Spain from Manchester United and I felt it was successful there. Now in Milan, I am enjoying it.”

Peter Crouch returned to training with the squad after recovering from a calf problem but Shaun Wright-Phillips missed out again due to a back complaint.