Beckham: Ankle "doesn't look good" for LA Galaxy debut

Beckham trained on his own behind closed doors Friday as the rest of his team ran drills in preparation for the Saturday night game against English FA Cup holders Chelsea.

The match had been planned as a showcase for the club's new talisman and a major attraction for fans in the US, but Beckham and his bosses insist they will take no chances with his fitness.

Cable sports channel ESPN is due to show the game live. But it quoted Beckham as saying that the odds are against him taking part in the match.

"I've been having a lot of treatment but at the moment it doesn't look good, I'm afraid. The swelling's still there," ESPN quoted him as saying Friday.

"I'm here for five years, I'm not here just for the game on Saturday. It's great that Chelsea are here with great players and a great manager but it's more important for me personally that my ankle's right.

"Maybe I will play some part towards the end of the game if it's all right but we'll see."

Coach Frank Yallop also told reporters Friday that Beckham may be used as a late substitute.

"He desperately wants to play," Yallop said. "It won't be a big part in the game, we know that, because he hasn't trained for a number of weeks, but we're hoping he can get some time on the field." dpa