Becks slow to recover

LONDON - David Beckham's recovery from an Achilles injury is taking longer than expected, with the England midfielder saying on Monday he won't be fit to play again until November.

That means Beckham will not feature in Major League Soccer this season, unless the Los Angeles Galaxy reach the playoffs. The next time he is likely to be ready to play for England would be the 2012 European Championship qualifier against Wales on March 26, 2011.

Beckham underwent surgery in March after rupturing a tendon while on loan at AC Milan. He had initially been told he would be back in action by September.