Beckham doubtful for Galaxy game

David Beckham's MLS debut is likely still on hold. Beckham said Saturday he's seven to 10 days away from starting a game because of a left ankle injury and probably won't be available off the bench Sunday when his Los Angeles Galaxy play Toronto FC.

Beckham, whose missed a Superliga game at FC Dallas earlier in the week, asked for patience and understanding.

"I'm here for five years and maybe more," he told a packed news conference Saturday at the Air Canada Centre. "That's where people may have to be slightly patient and not think that I'm just here for the glitz and the glamour. I'm here to play soccer, I'm not here to play anything else."

Beckham was on the practice field Saturday, but was restricted to running because of his sore left ankle.

"It needs to be right," he said. "There's no point in me coming back and playing in a game _ when people are expecting me to play at a high level like I can and I do _ and not performing."

After Toronto, the Galaxy next play Thursday in Washington against D.C. United and Aug. 12 at the New England Revolution. They are back at home on Aug. 15 for a Superliga semifinal against D.C. United and they play three days later at the New York Red Bulls.

The 32-year-old former England captain has played only 16 minutes for the Galaxy because of the tender ankle. He was a substitute in a July 21 exhibition against Chelsea.

Galaxy coach Frank Yallop said Beckham must show he's capable of making cuts on the run before playing a game.

Beckham was hardly seen at the Galaxy practice open to the media at BMO Field. A few fans saw Beckham stretching in the northwest corner of the stadium.

"I think he's more frustrated than anyone," goalkeeper Joe Cannon said. "You can tell, he wants to play."

Galaxy players spoke fondly about their celebrity teammate.

"You know what, he's an absolute normal guy," said defender Ante Jazic. "When you see all the media attention he has, in the locker-room he's quiet, he keeps to himself, polite, talks to the guys. He's just a normal guy."

Landon Donovan, the Galaxy's other star, played up to the hype.

"What's David Like? He's pretty handsome," said Donovan, mischievously. "He's actually very handsome. Really unassuming for someone of his fame and stature but he's been good. He's been enjoyable."

Beckham signed a five-year contract with the Galaxy in January that will pay him $32.5 million in salary.

Asked if he was worth the money, Donovan said: "He's worth every penny. You guys are here talking to us. There's people following us. Fans are filling up the stadiums, jerseys are selling, media exposure's better. So for me it's worth every penny."

Donovan said Beckham's ankle is improving.

"When he got here, it was like a balloon," he said. "You kind of looked at it and said, 'You're going to play on that?'

"When he played in the Chelsea game, it was almost a miracle at that point. He shouldn't have been playing probably. But he's getting a lot better."

(This version CORRECTS SUBS 7th graf to correct site of Aug. 15 game)