Beckham nurses ankle in first training session

Add as a preferred source on Google

Carson (California) July 17: David Beckham, carefully protecting his swollen left ankle, played a low-key role at his first official training session with the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Home Depot Center.

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

Although Beckham is eager to make his first appearance for the Galaxy in an exhibition match with FA Cup holders Chelsea 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 dollar, twisted his ankle while playing for England against Estonia in a Euro 2008 qualifying match last month.

FINAL APPEARANCE

He then aggravated it in his final appearance for Real Madrid 11 days later and has undergone regular treatment over the last three weeks.

Despite his relatively inactive role in his first Galaxy training session, the former England captain was the headline attraction for the fans crammed mainly into the stadium's grandstand, many of whom wore Beckham shirts.

He was greeted by loud roars when he first ran out on to the pitch from the tunnel into bright sunlight, with most his new team mates ahead of him.

Wearing golden shirts and navy blue shorts, the entire Galaxy squad jogged around the perimeter of the pitch with Beckham smiling and waving at the crowd for most of the way.

As his team mates limbered up before starting their training routines, Beckham broke away to do some stretching and then joined Yallop to practise close-range kicking with his right foot while standing on his left leg.

Beckham went on to kick alternately off both feet after moving from side to side in a short semi-circle before ending his session with a few short jogs and further stretching.

As he left the pitch for the team's dressing room, the golden boy of English and European soccer was asked how his first day of training in the US had gone.

''Not bad,'' the 32-year-old replied.

Reuters










>