(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-07-29 11:13

David Beckham, in a surprise move by Los Angeles Galaxy coach Frank Yallop, was named as one of the substitutes for Saturday's SuperLiga match against Mexican side Chivas de Guadalajara at LA Coliseum.

Beckham is still recovering from a swollen left ankle and Yallop said on Friday the England midfielder had been ruled out of the Galaxy's second fixture in the regional competition.

"He won't be playing tomorrow," Yallop told reporters after a training session at the Home Depot Center.

"It would be great to have him fully available from day one but what you can't do is force anything and make a player play when he's not ready because he won't play well.

"The work that he's had done is obviously helping it but his ankle is still tight. It's just a matter of time really."

Asked about Beckham's chances of playing a part in the Galaxy's next SuperLiga match at FC Dallas on Tuesday, Yallop replied: "Possibly, but there's no way that we're going to send him out when he's not ready to play for us.

"It's not about him stepping on for five minutes and waving. He wants to get healthy and fit and play properly."

Beckham has not been able to train with his new team mates since arriving in Los Angeles just over two weeks ago and was restricted to a brief cameo role for his Galaxy debut against Chelsea last Saturday.

The 32-year-old, who was signed from Real Madrid on a $32.5 million five-year deal, has spent most of his time in the treatment room and the gym.

Beckham twisted his ankle playing for his country against Estonia in a Euro 2008 qualifying match last month.

He aggravated it in his final appearance for Real 11 days later when his former team clinched the Spanish league title.

His first MLS regular season match for the Galaxy is scheduled for Aug 5 against Toronto FC at BMO Field in Toronto.