RECORD breaker David Beckham says he is happy to carry on helping his country in any way he can.
The AC Milan midfielder came off the bench to replace Aaron Lennon for the start of the second half of yesterday’s 4-0 friendly win over Slovakia at Wembley to make his 109th international appearance.Beckham has now surpassed the mark of legendary World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore for outfield appearances.
Fabio Capello’s men are well on the road towards South Africa 2010, but Beckham knows there can be no guarantees he will be in the starting line-up for Wednesday night’s qualifier against Ukraine.
But the former Manchester United ace – who captained England at the last two World Cup finals – claims simply being part of the international set-up again is the most important thing.
Beckham said: “Everyone wants to start for England, but at the end of the day, everyone also wants to play for their country.
“Substitutes can be very important. We saw that at Manchester United in the 1999 Champions League final with Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.”
Beckham set up Wayne Rooney with a trademark cross from the right for England’s second goal on 70 minutes.
And he added: “Sometimes substitutes come on and can help secure a game, or change a game.
“I was happy with getting on and happy with the assist.
“It is what I have done for my whole career, and if I get a chance there are players like Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey or Peter Crouch to get on the end of it.
“If I start, then I start. If I don’t, then I am part of the team – a good team which is going forwards.”
The 33-year-old could not hide his delight at reaching the appearances landmark, and dedicated his achievement to his family, with wife Victoria at Wembley yesterday.
But Beckham was quick to give praise to his international team-mates.
He added: “I am very proud to be up there above Bobby Moore, but the most important thing was the way the team played.
“Within the first couple of minutes, we had set the tone. That is what the manager had been telling us to do.
“Overall it was a good night for myself, but a better night for the team.”
