Battling Beckham remains at odds with Capello on his England role

London: David Beckham has told Fabio Capello that he does not want to be considered for England's friendly against France next month in what could have been a farewell appearance.

Beckham has again discussed his England future with Capello and reiterated that he only wants to be selected on merit.

Capello has accepted this, and has not ruled out picking Beckham in the future, but there is a clear sense that the midfielder is unlikely to add to his 115 caps.

A controversy over Beckham's international future blew up in August when Capello suggested that the former captain's career was over and there was the chance of a farewell appearance at Wembley.

Capello later clarified his stance and told Beckham that if he was fit enough and playing well then he would not dismiss selecting him on merit. However, after missing six months because of a ruptured Achilles, and having indicated that he did not intend to go out on loan to a European club in January, it is highly unlikely that Beckham will be able to convince Capello that he deserves to be included again.

The Italian has made it plain that he does not regard playing for LA Galaxy as a high enough level of football — which is why he encouraged him to go to AC Milan for the past two years — so it will be tough for the player to convince Capello to change his mind.

There is some surprise within the England camp that Beckham is so adamant that he does not want to come back for one more game, although his stance also demonstrates his determination to prolong his international career.

Beckham joined Capello's backroom staff for the World Cup in South Africa at the manager's invitation to help with player liaison. He has not played for England since the World Cup qualifier against Belarus a year ago and, with the MLS season in its final stages, he does not have many opportunities to play competitive football again this year.

There are two more matches to go and then the MLS play-offs which had led to the belief that he might agree to feature against France so that he could be given a send-off by England supporters.