BECKS GETS BOOED BY GALAXY FANS.

Byline: JOHN CROSS

DAVID BECKHAM insists he can handle being jeered after improving his fitness - with a filling in his teeth.

Former England captain Beckham, 34, was booed in his Major League Soccer comeback game for LA Galaxy in New York after spending the end of last season on loan at AC Milan to boost his England World Cup prospects.

But Beckham believes he has come back a better and fitter player after his loan spell, especially after Milan's medical staff spotted a problem in his physique.

He had a gap after losing a tooth but Milan sent him to a dental specialist who put in a filling which helped improve his back and posture. The same procedure helped prolong the career of former Arsenal captain Tony Adams.

Beckham's return to the MLS at the New York Red Bulls resulted in a 3-1 win but he got a hostile reception and was booed throughout the 70 minutes he played before being substituted.

But Beckham insists he can handle the abuse - admitting he has had much worse in his career, once being a national hate figure for his red card against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup.

He said: "I've had a lot more boos before in games.

"There were a lot of people highlighting that I might get booed, but I expected it. It's sometimes nice to get them. It gives you some inspiration. When we played like we did, the boos start to go away in time."

Beckham celebrated Landon Donovan's goal even though his team-mate had questioned his commitment to the LA Galaxy.

But Beckham said there was no problem with Donovan and added: "With Landon in the form he's in, you just give him the ball."

CAPTION(S):

FRIENDS AGAIN Becks congratulates Donovan