Beckham won't be rushed

Updated 13.39 Sat Jul 28 2007

Keywords: England, David Beckham, LA Galaxy, football, sport

Los Angeles Galaxy will give David Beckham all the time he needs to get over his ankle problem.

The 32-year-old former England captain has missed his new club's opening SuperLiga matches against Mexico's CF Pachuca and Chivas Guadalajara, despite coming off the bench for the last 12 minutes of last Saturday's friendly defeat at the hands of Chelsea.

"Yes, we want David on the field - and yes, people have bought tickets to see David. But there will be plenty of opportunities to see him" - Frank Yallop

And while fans are clamouring for the chance to see Beckham in action, LA Galaxy boss Frank Yallop is refusing to risk his star man.

The Galaxy face FC Dallas in the SuperLiga next Tuesday before the Major League Soccer campaign resumes in Toronto the following Sunday.

And former Ipswich Town defender Yallop said: "Unfortunately, that is football - you can't guarantee anyone playing.

"Yes, we want David on the field - and yes, people have bought tickets to see David. But there will be plenty of opportunities to see him. We've got to make sure they see a good product too."

He added: "We could stand him out there for five minutes and he could not touch the ball, maybe like he did in the Chelsea game, but I don't think we want to see that. I don't; the team doesn't - and I would think the fans don't either.

"They have to have patience; they have to make sure they see the product that's going to be here for the next five years.

"It's not about him stepping on to the pitch for five minutes and waving. He wants to get healthy and fit and play properly."