CAPELLO HUNTS FOR PRIDE OF LIONS

Fabio Capello insists his most important challenge is to restore pride to England.

The England manager, who took over in December after Steve McClaren’s sacking, has guaranteed David Beckham his 100th cap against France at the Stade de France and handed Rio Ferdinand the captain’s armband.

But the Italian spelled out what matters most from his second friendly in charge, following on from England’s 2-1 win against Switzerland at Wembley last month.

Capello said: “We’re all on trial, not just the players.

“We need to get back to being a great team that plays openly against any opponent. It’s not about being on trial, but about the pride of wearing the shirt.”

Beckham will become the fifth England player to reach the century mark when he takes the field, most likely as an impact substitute in place of Blackburn’s in-form wide man, David Bentley.

And Capello believes Beckham can go on to pass Bobby Moore’s record of 108 caps for an outfield player by making it all the way to the World Cup in 2010.

fabiocapello.jpgCapello, who managed Beckham at Real Madrid, said: “The David Beckham I know can certainly get to 2010 if he carries on training and working hard.

“I know what he can give me and I think he can make the difference in some respects. As for the future, we will have to see. Nobody knows what the future holds.

“But I’ve managed him previously and he’s always been a very good professional. Only people who are so professional can last and be at the top for so long.”

The international future for Michael Owen does not appear so rosy, despite his recent goalscoring form for Newcastle.

Owen was left on the bench against Switzerland and with Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney expected once again to fill the primary striking role against France, Capello was coy on whether the Newcastle striker would be given a chance to impress this time.