Beckham could play in Galaxy's game

Los Angeles: David Beckham is eligible to play in the Los Angeles Galaxy's home MLS game against Columbus on Saturday after being sidelined for almost six months with an Achilles' tendon injury.

Beckham tore his left tendon on March 14 while playing on loan with AC Milan, undergoing surgery two days later on an injury that prevented him from playing in the World Cup.

After leading Los Angeles to the MLS Cup final last November, Beckham hasn't played this season for the Galaxy, who still lead the Western Conference with 44 points and field U.S. internationals Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle.

"Not playing for six months is tough," Beckham said after a practice session at Carson. "It's the first time it's happened to me. I've had injuries, but nothing that's kept me out for so long. It did make me realize how much I love the game, and I'm not ready to finish."

The 35-year-old Beckham thinks he could play for "quite a few more years," growing excited about the Galaxy's playoff push and his still-faint possibility of returning to the English national team someday.

Beckham is less interested in playing again for a European club. After several years of nearly nonstop play, Beckham indicated he's likely to decline a loan to AC Milan or another team in favor of a more relaxing winter.

"I need that — my body needs that," Beckham said. "I've been hitting it quite hard for the last couple of years, and this injury is because of that, so I think now it's time maybe for me to look at myself and look at my fitness. ... Three months in the Seychelles would be lovely, but I've got three boys who go to school, so that can't happen."

Beckham hasn't exactly been inactive during his recovery. After traveling with the English national team in South Africa, Beckham returned to practice with the Galaxy on Aug. 10, gradually increasing his training regimen over the past four weeks.

He played 45 minutes in a practice match Wednesday, saying he felt exhausted early on before getting a second wind halfway through.

"I'm ready, to be honest," Beckham said. "I've been working hard with the rehab, and I'm trying to get the strength back in my legs. ... I think I can play some part of the game (Saturday). Obviously, with not playing for six months, it has to be a careful few minutes at a time. If I can play 10, 15, 20 minutes, hopefully I can do that."

Arena is more cautious, noting Beckham still is a week shy of the expected six-month recovery time from such a serious injury. The Galaxy's braintrust hasn't decided whether Beckham will play against Columbus.

"I think he's ahead of schedule," Arena said. "Our original goal was to get him back on the field Oct. 1. We think that could be moved up. The decision-making has to be based on getting David on the field when he's ready to play and not susceptible to an injury, and it also has to be in the best interest of our team, but it's getting close. ... He is a guy that likes to defy the odds."

Beckham has seven goals and 15 assists in 41 career regular-season games with Los Angeles. He played just 11 games for the Galaxy last year after spending the first half of the season with AC Milan.

While focused on Los Angeles' remaining season, Beckham hasn't written off the possibility of playing again for his country. England manager Fabio Capello was widely criticized last month for saying Beckham was too old to play for the national team again, forcing Capello to backpedal.

Beckham has closely followed England's performances in victories over Switzerland and Bulgaria in Euro 2012 qualifiers. He's also on good terms with Capello, speaking to the manager by phone shortly before the English team assembled to prepare for the qualifiers.

"I've always had a good relationship with Fabio, and that's not changed," Beckham said. "He's England manager, and he has to look to the future, look to some great, talented young players coming through. These players need to be given the chance, and they will be. But obviously the manager is aware that there needs to be some old heads in there, and some experience.

"If I'm part of that, then great, but like I said, my main objective right now is to get myself fit and playing again."