Beckham to see out Galaxy contract, still keen on England

Photo: Reuters

David Beckham plans to see out the final year of his Los Angeles Galaxy contract and still believes he has an England future at the age of 35.

In an interview shown on British television, the midfielder added that he would not have any more loan deals after two spells at AC Milan, where an ankle injury in the second stint forced him out of the reckoning for a place at the World Cup in June.

Beckham's Galaxy contract runs out next year and although there is the option next month of buying out the final 12 months of his deal, he said he was content to stay until 2011.

"I'm definitely going to be here (in Los Angeles) for the rest of my contract," the former Manchester United player said. "My sons go to school here, we're all happy living here, so I can't see us moving."

Turning to his England prospects, he underlined that he had no plans to call time on his 115-cap international career despite manager Fabio Capello suggesting after the World Cup that he was too old to play for his country.

"Of course I would always love to be available for my country, everyone knows how passionate I have been for my country over the years.

"Whether I do or not, that is obviously down to the manager and obviously down to myself to perform.”

"The future is for the young players as we have to think about the (2012) Euros but no one player is out,” he added.

Beckham, who left Real Madrid for Galaxy in 2007, scored for the LA club in the 2-1 win over FC Dallas on Sunday that earned them their second successive Western Conference and the Supporters' Shield for MLS's top point-scoring team.

They now begin their playoff campaign against Seattle Sounders on Sunday.

In the last two seasons, Beckham has returned to Europe for loan spells with Milan to maintain his fitness levels.

He suffered an Achilles tendon injury during his second loan spell in March and only returned to action for the Galaxy in August.

Milan said in July that he would not be returning for a third stint and Beckham now believes that he is unlikely to go out on loan again when the MLS playoffs finish in November.

"I would love to say that I'd be able to but with the injury that I've had you have to give it a certain amount of rest," he added.

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Beckham eyes England return after Capello talks

Photo: Reuters

David Beckham believes he has a lifeline to resurrect his international career after having clear-the-air talks with England manager Fabio Capello.

Beckham's international career looked to be over when Capello said last month that he considered the 35-year-old too old for national selection but the public outcry caused the Italian to back-pedal on his comments.

The former England captain, insisting he had no plans to retire, said he had since spoken to Capello and was confident that he would be picked if his form is ensured.

"If you're performing and you're playing well then you have a chance of being in the squad," the midfielder told reporters after training with the Los Angeles Galaxy on Thursday.

"The thing about my situation now is just getting back on the field and getting back fit,” he added. “Then, what happens after that, we'll see."

Capello came under fire in Britain when he announced that he was no longer interested in picking Beckham even though he had not consulted the player before making the news public.

He was heavily criticized for his timing which came just hours after Beckham, who missed this year's World Cup in South Africa, because of injury, declared that he was fit enough to resume playing club soccer in the United States and excitedly talked about his unwavering dedication to the England's cause.

"Obviously it was a surprise at the time but I spoke to him shortly after that and he explained everything to me and it was brushed under the carpet, so to speak," Beckham said.

"He's always supported me, he's always looked after me in many ways and I've got the utmost respect for him.

"I think I've learned that I'm not ready to finish yet and how much I love the game.”

Beckham is still unsure about when he will make his return for the Galaxy. He had hoped to play as early as this weekend but may have to wait another week.

"The biggest thing is that I've been taken off the (injured) list now," he said.

"I'm back in now. I'm back in with the squad."

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Beckham hoping to return to MLS action next week

Photo: Reuters

David Beckham hopes to make his return to action in LA Galaxy's match against Columbus Crew on September 11, the midfielder said on Thursday.

Beckham has been sidelined since March when he suffered an Achilles tendon injury, while playing on loan for AC Milan, that cost him a place in the England squad at the World Cup in South Africa.

"The doctors' original date was October 1 but I want to be ready before then," he told the team's website (www.lagalaxy.com). "I'll keep my fingers crossed and hopefully will play in part of the game here against Columbus.”

“I'll be on the bench, and hopefully I'll get on the field for 15-20 minutes, that's what I'm looking at."

Beckham took part in his first full training session with the club on August 11 and said he has had ups and downs.

"At the moment, you have good days and you have bad days,” he said. “You wake up with a lot more pain in your body when you're in preseason.”

“I have to do it because I need to get as close to match fitness as possible," he said. "It's a bit difficult when you don't play in games.”

“That's where you get the real fitness from, but I'm doing what I can in the gym and what I can on the field, just trying to get strength back in my leg.

"Working out was something I've done for the last 25 years, and to not being able to do it was tough for me."

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder said he was still tentative in some areas of movement.

"When you do go through a trauma like this, an injury like this, there's always going to be that thing in the back of your mind saying, 'The last time I did that motion was when it actually snapped'. Cutting and turning and pushing off is still difficult for me, but that's going to come in time," he said.

The 35-year-old Beckham said he had never considered retirement and added that he had been grumpy at home.

"It's probably better asking my wife that more than me. Being around the house, not being able to train, not being able to play, I think it's been worse for her than me. It's been a long road," he said.

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