Becks is back for Real
MADRID: David Beckham is expected to return to action for Real Madrid against Albacete tomorrow after a six-week absence due to broken ribs.
But the big question is, will the England captain be in Real’s starting line-up.
Real have not lost in their eight games since Beckham was sidelined following his crude challenge on Wales defender Ben Thatcher in a World Cup qualifier last month.
Real, who have edged their way up to second place in the Spanish First Division, have also won their last three league games without Beckham’s help.
“The medical officials say he should be ready to play but it is impossible to say at this stage whether he is likely to start or be on the bench,” a Real spokesperson said on Thursday.
Real coach Mariano Garcia Remon may be unwilling to alter his midfield now that it is starting to click after its shaky start, with Jose Maria ‘Guti’ Gutierrez getting a deserved recall to the Spanish side on Thursday for his efforts to plug the gap left by Beckham.
However, malicious microbes may have solved Garcia Remon’s dilemma for him as Zinedine Zidane suffered from a dose of gastro-enteritis during the week, which caused the World Player of the Year to miss training on Wednesday.
An appearance against Albacete is vital for Beckham if he is to be considered for the England team that will face Spain, whose squad include no less than five of his Real teammates, next Wednesday in his own adopted home of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
One man assured of his place for both Real and England is Beckham’s colleague Michael Owen, who has capitalised on his limited playing time so far by scoring in Real’s last three league games.
He might still be some way short of the club record of scoring in seven consecutive league games, a feat achieved twice by the legendary Ferenc Puskas, but Owen’s fifth goal in six games overall on Sunday, when Real beat Malaga 2-0 in the league, was certainly welcome.
Real have 19 points from 10 games but are seven points adrift of arch rivals and league leaders Barcelona, who travel to Real Betis tomorrow.
Barcelona have not won at Betis for five years but the Catalan club are unbeaten this season and will be cheered by the fact that coach Frank Rijkaard will have rightback Sylvinho available again after six weeks out injured.
The Brazilian’s return has coincided with the ankle injury last week suffered by his compatriot Belletti on the other flank, and allows Rijkaard to re-jig his defence without having to call for reinforcements from the reserves. – AFP
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