Beckham has bone bruise but expects to play

Nov 21, 2009 - 12:42 AM By TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer

SEATTLE (AP) -- Los Angeles midfielder David Beckham said Friday he'll need an injection in his right ankle to reduce pain and allow him to play in Sunday night's MLS Cup final against Real Salt Lake.

Beckham has a bone bruise in his ankle that's been bothering him for some time. He said after Los Angeles finished training at Qwest Field on Friday that the combo of the injury and the artificial surface at the stadium won't keep him from playing for his first title since joining the Galaxy.

Friday was his first day of training since the Galaxy advanced to the final with a 2-0 win over Houston on Nov. 13.

"You got to be kind of careful with it not to get any kicks on it. So it's definitely been frustrating, but I'm sure it will be fine for Sunday. Definitely be fine for Sunday," Beckham said. "It's just one of those things that you just have to get through. After five or 10 minutes of the game I'm sure I'll forget about it."

Now in his third season playing for the Galaxy after his arrival from Europe, Beckham will get a shot at bringing Los Angeles its first league title since 2005.

And his strong play the second half of this season after finishing his loan with Italian power AC Milan has Beckham confident he's got a few more years of playing ahead of him.

"I'd like to say I've got a good two or three, maybe four years left in me," Beckham said. "Have to wait and see and take it week by week, month by month and year by year, especially being 34 years old. ... But I feel good and I feel really fit. I'm playing a lot of soccer and I'm enjoying it."

Beckham will begin another loan with Milan in late December and play in Italy until at least the World Cup arrives. Beckham still hopes for a roster spot with England at the World Cup in South Africa, but reaffirmed Friday that he'll rejoin the Galaxy after the World Cup is over.

"I'll obviously, hopefully be involved in the World Cup and then I'll return for the rest of the season," Beckham said.