Beckham's return likely to remain on hold

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - David Beckham is unlikely to make his second appearance for Los Angeles Galaxy in their final SuperLiga group match in Frisco, Texas on Tuesday as he battles to shrug off an ankle injury.

The England midfielder was restricted to a brief cameo role for his Galaxy debut against Chelsea eight days ago and his new employers do not want him to return unless fully fit.

Although the Major League Soccer club need to win or draw against FC Dallas in Frisco to reach the SuperLiga semi-finals, head coach Frank Yallop will decide on Monday whether Beckham will travel to Texas with the squad.

"He wants to get healthy and fit and play properly," Yallop told reporters after the Galaxy were beaten 2-1 by Mexican side Chivas de Guadalajara in their second SuperLiga fixture.

"There's no way that we're going to send him out when he's not ready to play for us. He wants to play properly and prove to the guys why we brought him over."

Asked if his high-profile signing would be with the Galaxy in Frisco, Yallop replied: "We'll have to see in the morning (on Monday) when he comes in for treatment. But it's too early to say."

Although Beckham was one of seven substitutes for Saturday's SuperLiga match against Chivas at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Yallop never considered sending him on to the pitch.

TEAM MORALE