TORONTO, Aug 9: It seems likely that English star David Beckham's long-awaited debut in Major League Soccer for the Los Angeles Galaxy will remain on hold. The Galaxy play DC United in Washington on Thursday but will be without the international midfielder, who spent Sunday's game against Toronto FC on the substitute's bench.

Beckham continues to travel with the team in a three-game road trip in the eastern United States, but even the uncharacteristic luxury of a chartered jet for the team cannot make his injured left ankle heal any faster.

The midfielder did play 15 minutes in a recent exhibition game against Chelsea but has still to take part in any serious training with the team.

“I think it's always frustrating for a sportsman when you can't do what you love doing,” said Beckham. “It's very frustrating because it's an injury that has had me out for almost eight weeks.

“It's getting better, improving every day, but I would want it to be a bit quicker, but obviously [that is] a natural thing.”

The team will fly to Boston after the game against United, where they will play the New England Revolution on Sunday. They follow that match with a SuperLiga semi-final against DC United next Wednesday in Los Angeles.—AFP