LA Galaxy play waiting game on Beckham's fitness

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The sponsors want it. The fans are waiting for it. But David Beckham's hotly anticipated debut for Los Angeles Galaxy against Chelsea on Saturday remains in doubt.

Although Beckham's swollen left ankle has responded well to treatment since he arrived in Los Angeles last week, Galaxy officials accept the longer-term picture is much more significant for their high-profile signing.

"We want to get him on the field as quickly as we can but we don't want to put him in any danger of re-injuring it," Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop said.

"There is always a possibility he won't play because of his injury but we're never going to force him to play. If he's ready to play, he'll play. We're just waiting to see how he responds.

Yallop, speaking to reporters after the Galaxy were thumped 3-0 by Mexican club Tigres UANL in a friendly on Tuesday, added that the ankle had responded to treatment in the last few days.

"He's had a lot of treatment and his ankle is a little bit better. We're hoping he will be okay to play on Saturday but we have to make sure we do the right thing by him."

England midfielder Beckham, one of the biggest names in the game, twisted his ankle while playing for his country against Estonia in a Euro 2008 qualifying match last month.

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