LOS ANGELES, Aug 14 (Reuters) - David Beckham, who has been hampered by an injured left ankle for the last two months, expects to play a major role for Los Angeles Galaxy in their SuperLiga semi-final against D.C. United on Wednesday.
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'I think I can play at least half a game tomorrow, which is important for me,' Beckham, 32, told reporters on Tuesday after taking part in his first training session with the Galaxy at the Home Depot Center.
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'It's important for the team that I at least get on the pitch and help contribute. It was good to get out on to the field today and have a bit of practice. ) d; Y" V4 K: k- H t2 U) m
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'This is my first time, since I arrived, to be out on the training pitch and it felt good.' - O# i3 Z6 N# D& V3 M, p
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Beckham said he was still feeling some pain in his Achilles' tendon and under the ankle. 'My ankle's not perfect,' he added. 'It's about 70-80 percent.'
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3 }1 |2 M9 z; {公仔箱論壇Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop said: 'David is available to start and play a significant role tomorrow against D.C. United. 5.39.217.769 u7 l$ D) L2 q; J" j
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'I fully expect to give him his SuperLiga debut at some point in the contest. Tomorrow's game is very important to the club and we have a number of players injured or suspended so to have David available will be a big boost.'
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2 [ `, _5 g e& e5.39.217.76Yallop will have to decide whether he prefers to start with Beckham, who is well short of his usual fitness level, or bring his high-profile signing on to the pitch late in the match.
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0 d7 D9 g& N/ N- q5.39.217.76'It's been frustrating for all of us not to have someone like David available,' Yallop added. 'I think David will be the one who knits it all together.'
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0 c' H$ ?0 H/ B3 k8 f5.39.217.76Beckham, one of the world's most marketable sports figures, has made only two fleeting appearances for the Galaxy since joining the Major League Soccer (MLS) club midway through last month.
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He played for 16 minutes as a late substitute against FA Cup holders Chelsea on July 21 before making his MLS debut on Thursday at D.C. United, playing the final 21 minutes in a 1-0 loss before a capacity crowd of 46,686. tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb G5 m( I) H3 r( E
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Signed from Real Madrid on a $32.5 million five-year deal, Beckham spent most of his first three weeks in Los Angeles receiving ice treatment and massage in the treatment room or working in the gym. 公仔箱論壇+ M2 L/ I% G: Q/ H, ~7 P
# A- o G4 E( O+ a2 U5.39.217.76The former England captain twisted his ankle playing for his country against Estonia in a Euro 2008 qualifying match in June.
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1 f- w# o/ P5 j& Z% _$ s4 etvb now,tvbnow,bttvbHe then aggravated it in his final appearance for Real 11 days later when his former team clinched the Spanish league title. |
發表於 2007-8-15 04:27 PM
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