England boss Fabio Capello insisted David Beckham's return as captain in Sunday's international against Trinidad and Tobago was not a cynical move designed to earn votes for their 2018 World Cup bid.
The Los Angeles Galaxy star will wear the armband for the first time since the 2006 World Cup quarter-final against Portugal in Germany when England take to the field for their final match of the 2007-08 season in Port of Spain.
Two years ago Beckham ended the Portugal game in tears after suffering an ankle injury and gave up the captaincy in an emotional statement 24 hours later.
But now he is set to lead out his country for the 59th time.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star is the fourth different captain of Capello's six-month reign after Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry.
England's end-of-season trip to the Caribbean has been viewed in many quarters as a way of gaining favour with FIFA vice-president and Trinidad and Tobago football federation special advisor Jack Warner ahead of the Football Association's expected bid to host the 2018 World Cup bid.
But Capello is adamant he was put under no pressure by the FA to aid that campaign by giving 33-year-old Beckham the captaincy.
Capello said: "Beckham will be captain tomorrow but the appointment is not a political move. I work for the game - not the political side of things.
"The political side is for the FA and they have not suggested to me that Beckham should be captain tomorrow. There was no pressure put on me.
"No-one could do that to me. I decided as I have decided throughout my life and when I was manager of a club. Beckham was very happy when I told him today."
Capello knows all about Beckham's qualities after the midfielder won over the Italian during his time in charge of Real Madrid after vowing at one stage he would never pick Beckham to play for the Spanish giants again.
Now he seems to be a strong candidate to start England's World Cup campaign after it appeared his international career was over after being frozen out for a year by Steve McClaren.
He said: "I know David very well from our time together at Real Madrid and he did well for me after some problems at the start.
"I can change my mind about things and only stupid people never change their mind. He was very important for Real at the end."
Capello revealed he had Beckham in mind to lead the side for at least one game after he became England coach six months ago.
He said: "We had the four games and he was one of the players I was considering to be captain for a game along with Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry.
"I know he gave up the England captaincy a couple of years ago but you can never say never. He was captain for a long time.
"Will he start the World Cup qualifiers? We will have to wait and see but David Beckham played well in the first half against the USA and will be captain tomorrow."
Capello insisted the game in Port of Spain was an important exercise even though seven of the players who took part in the Champions League final between Manchester United and Chelsea have been excused duty.
He said: "It is an important game. You want to know if the players have confidence when they play away from England. It will be important to see if that is the case."
Manchester United captain Ferdinand will be in action and Capello revealed: "He wanted to be part of things out here.
"He could have had a rest and have not come. It was his decision. He wanted to be involved."
The likes of Joe Hart, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and Theo Walcott could play some part and Capello admitted: "I have some idea to give some players a chance for the first time."
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