'Beckham is not over the hill'

Updated 10.17 Thu Jul 26 2007

Keywords: Premier League, Everton, David Moyes, LA Galaxy, David Beckham, football, sport

David Beckham is far from over the hill, according to Everton manager David Moyes.

The 32-year-old England midfielder is hoping to shake off his ankle injury in time to make his first start for Los Angeles Galaxy against Chivas Guadalajara in their second SuperLiga group match on Saturday.

"He's an excellent player and a great role model for many people. The Americans seem to have taken to him" - David Moyes

But Moyes, who is on the west coast with his team for a spot of pre-season training, believes Beckham has already made in terms of delivering more awareness to his new team and Major League Soccer in general since arriving Stateside less than a fortnight ago.

The Everton boss said: "He's an excellent player and a great role model for many people. The Americans seem to have taken to him.

"I don't think they are getting anybody who's at the end of their time or who are over the hill in any way. I think they're probably getting a player who's at the peak of his career and who's still got a lot to offer.

"I think he'll make an impact, and we'll see how the league goes with the standard of the games."