Former England captain David Beckham has said he agrees with Fabio Capello's decision to drop him for the friendly with Switzerland and revealed that he saw it coming.

Beckham, 32, has been training with Arsenal recently for fitness after the advent of the close season in Major League Soccer, where he plies his trade with Los Angeles Galaxy.

He had hoped to earn his 100th cap in the match at Wembley on Wednesday; but, having once already borne the brunt of Capello's ruthlessness at Real Madrid last season when he signed his Galaxy deal, was not surprised.

"It's always disappointing when you're not included in an England squad," he told Sky. "I half-expected it because I know what Fabio Capello is like as a manager.

"I haven't played since December, so to be called up was probably unfair.

"If he thinks you're not fit and ready to play then you won't be in the team. I totally respect that and totally understand that.

"There are a lot of Premiership players who have played 15 games in the last two months and I haven't played a game since December."

Despite joining Arsene Wenger's men at their London Colney training headquarters, Beckham came in for criticism for a subsequent charitable trip to Sierra Leone and visit to open a football coaching school in Brazil.

"I'd done everything I could to make myself available," he insisted. "I worked hard for a month with Arsenal.

"I did go to Sierra Leone and Brazil but those trips were only four days long and for the rest of the month I was training very hard.

"It's simply down to not playing any games: the manager explained that.

"I wish him and the rest of the players good luck for the first game.

"I think he's a great appointment and he's going to be good for the English game."

The MLS season will begin in March.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport