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David Beckham will not feature in England's Euro 2012 campaign, according to Fabio Capello. INPHO/Getty Images
Bye Bye Becks

Is David Beckham's England career over for good?

Fabio Capello says he won’t pick David Beckham for any more competitive games.

FABIO CAPELLO HAS effectively spelt the end of David Beckham’s career with the England football team, saying he will not be including him in his plans for the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

After watching his side defeat Hungary 2-1 in a friendly at Wembley last night, in England’s first game since the ignominious 4-1 defeat to Germany in the World Cup, Capello said he saw no place for the 35-year-old in his qualification squad.

His usual spot on the right wing of midfield was filled by both Theo Walcott and Adam Johnson, both of whom played impressively in the victory.

“I saw four young players tonight,” the Italian said. “This is the future of the team under Fabio Capello or another manager.”

But asked if the LA Galaxy midfielder could hope to compete against the likes of Walcott (21) and Johnson (23), he told the BBC: “No, I need to change it. David is a fantastic player but I think we need new players for the future.”

Capello said, however, that Beckham could be named for a future home friendly, if he can return to full fitness, so that England fans would have a chance to “say goodbye”.

Beckham’s agent has insisted his client will not retire from international football and would always make himself available for his country if the manager called him back to the team.

The former Manchester United player has played 115 times for England – a record for an outfield player – including 100 starts, and has scored 17 times – most famously against Greece to book England’s place in the 2002 World Cup.

Beckham played in 16 of the first 21 games under Capello, but has not featured since tearing his left Achilles tendon while on loan at AC Milan in March.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has joined those paying tribute to Beckham’s international career, calling him “an incredible role model in sport”.