Becks finds feet, but ankle a problem

CARSON, California: Although David Beckham was unable to play a full part in his first training session with the Los Angeles Galaxy on Monday, he has quickly earned the respect of his new teammates.

Forward Landon Donovan, the Galaxy's biggest name until Beckham was signed from Spanish giants Real Madrid on a lucrative five-year deal, has already warmed to the Englishman.

"He's been really great with us," US international striker Donovan told a news conference at the team's home stadium.

"I think he was a little shy the first day coming in but anybody joining a new team would be a little shy and not sure what to expect at first.

"He's warmed up a lot and got more lively the last couple days. At first, you don't want to make him feel uncomfortable and you don't want to say too much.

"I think he's done great and we want to get him on the field and training with us. He's a really great guy. I've heard that from people and now I can confirm it."

Team player

England midfielder Beckham, who has joined the Galaxy on a contract that could earn him a reported $250 million, has long held a reputation for being an ideal team player.

"I think once I am in with the lads and we have been training for two or three days, they will see what I'm like as a person," he said after being introduced as a Galaxy player on Friday.

"I just want to be part of the team. The other stuff that surrounds me and that comes with me as a player, I believe I have always handled in the right way. I've always been in soccer to play soccer."

Beckham's basic annual salary of $5.5 million is more than 50 times the average in Major League Soccer, and dwarfs Donovan's salary of $900,000.

Although the 32-year-old Englishman and his pop star wife Victoria inhabit a very different world from his new teammates, he has been hugely impressed by the relaxed and friendly welcome he has received at the Galaxy.

"The players were all really pleasant, thankfully," said Beckham, whose role in training on Monday was restricted because of his swollen left ankle.

"One of them came up to me - I can't remember who it was now - and said: 'Nice to meet you. What's your name?' That really broke the ice."

Beckham, carefully protecting his swollen left ankle, played a low-key role at his first official training session with the Galaxy at the Home Depot Center on Monday.

Watched by a crowd of around 1,000, the England midfielder focused mainly on strengthening exercises and close-range kicking while his new teammates were put through their paces in a full workout.

Although Beckham is eager to make his first appearance for the Galaxy in an exhibition match with FA Cup holders Chelsea on Saturday, his new head coach Frank Yallop is adopting a cautious approach.

"Obviously we want to get him in the team as quickly as we can but we don't want to put him in any danger of re-injuring it," Yallop told a news conference.

"I think it has responded after the last two days. The swelling has come down but he's not moving around and feeling as comfortable as he should.

"These types of injuries can quickly heal up and each day it is getting better and better. We are hoping that it heals quickly and he can have some part in the game on Saturday."

Beckham, signed by the Galaxy from Real Madrid on a five-year deal worth $32.5 million, twisted his ankle while playing for England against Estonia in a Euro 2008 qualifying match last month.

Agencies

(China Daily 07/18/2007 page24)