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David Beckham, who is set to win his 100th England cap on Wednesday, said he thought his international career was all over when former coach Steve McClaren dropped him after 2006 World Cup finals.
Beckham will become only the fifth England player to reach the 100th cap landmark if he plays as expected in Wednesday's friendly international against France in Paris -- but it is a milestone he thought he would never attain.
"When I have had highs they have been extreme highs and when I have had lows they have been extreme lows," Beckham told reporters on Monday at the England team hotel in Watford, north of London.
"But the lowest point in my England career came after the World Cup in Germany two years ago when I got the phone call. I was shocked and also hurt. I did not think at that stage I would play again. I was on 94 caps and I wasn't sure I was going to get 95.
"The best way to respond to that was to perform on the field and not talk about anything I was feeling at the time, and I did that. I got my head down, got back in the squad and now I would like to carry on."
He said he would also love to play in a fourth World Cup finals in South Africa in 2010.
"That's a target. We have the players and I believe that in Fabio Capello we have the right man to take us there," he added referring to the Italian who was appointed England coach in December.
Beckham, recalled to the international squad by Capello after being left out for last month's friendly against Switzerland, said earning his 100th cap would be one of the highlights of his career.
'GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS'
"To win my 100th cap would be one of the greatest achievements of my career but I would like to carry on and if I didn't think I could still play at this level then I would have retired from international football."
Asked if he thought he could surpass Peter Shilton's record of 125 England appearances, Beckham admitted that was doubtful but he was glad to be back in the squad.
"I don't just want to stop at 100, I want to carry on," he said.
"I will be very honoured to be in the company of Peter Shilton, Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton and Billy Wright."
Following Shilton's 125-appearance record, Moore played for England 108 times, followed by Charlton (106) and Wright (105).
Beckham, looking fit and tanned after pre-season training in Asia and Hawaii with his club LA Galaxy, said he felt in great shape after three weeks of twice-a-day sessions with Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit.
He said training in the snow at Arsenal's training ground in nearby London Colney on Monday morning was a bit of a shock to the system, but added: "It was cold but it's great to be back."
