Beckham to start on Milan bench

Beckham has impressed coach Ancelotti since arriving at AC Milan

On-loan AC Milan midfielder David Beckham will start as a substitute for his first Serie A game at AS Roma on Sunday, coach Carlo Ancelotti has said.

The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder, who is spending two months at Milan, has not played a competitive game since the end of the MLS season in October.

"David is ready even if he has been out for two months, but it is therefore tough to start him," said Ancelotti.

Beckham played 45 minutes for Milan in Tuesday's friendly draw with Hamburg.

The England international's stint with the Italian club ends in March, when the Major League Soccer season resumes, but it has been suggested that he may be tempted to extend his stay at Milan if his spell goes well.

However, Ancelotti played down those rumours, saying: "He is ready to give an important contribution and we at Milan are happy he will be with us, if only for two months.

"If then he wants to stay with us, it would be great but the contract he has with Milan is clear and I believe he will respect it."

Still, Ancelotti admits he has been delighted with Beckham, adding that he would offer a a glowing report on the 33-year-old if England coach Fabio Capello asked for one.

"If he wants a report I would only have positive things to say (about Beckham) because I have trained many players but it is not easy to find one with the professionalism Beckham is showing," said Ancelotti.

England face Spain in a friendly on 11 February, while third-placed Milan are returning to Serie A action after a three-week mid-season break on Sunday.

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