WATFORD - DAVID Beckham credits his move to AC Milan with putting him on the verge of becoming England's most capped outfield player.

The 33-year-old midfielder will make his 109th appearance for England if he plays in Saturday's friendly against Slovakia at Wembley, surpassing the record he shares with 1966 World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore.

'To be on the amount of caps that I am at the moment is a great honour,' Beckham said on Friday.

'When I was on 94 or 95 caps, I never expected to make 100 and when I made 100 people expected me to retire. So to get to 109, I am happy with that.'

He may never have reached the milestone if it wasn't for the extended loan deal to Milan from the Los Angeles Galaxy.

England coach Fabio Capello left Beckham out of his England squads when the Major League Soccer season ended last year because he wasn't playing competitive football.

'Being at AC Milan gives me more of a chance to be at that high level required to play international football,' Beckham said.

'Being with the squad has improved my fitness rather than anything else. When I first arrived in Dubai with Milan, my body fat was 13.7 (per cent) and now it's at 8.5, so it was more about the fitness side than anything else.'

If Beckham overtakes Moore's record on Saturday or in next Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine, the next target will be beating goalkeeper Peter Shilton's all-time England appearance record of 125.

That could come at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa if England qualify. -- AP