Beckham hopes for Sunday comeback
MADRID, Spain -- David Beckham is expected to return to action for Real Madrid against Real Betis on January 18, he announced at a Madrid press conference.
The England captain is recovering from the ankle injury suffered during Real's 1-0 win over Murcia a week ago, after which he required four stitches.
He missed Saturday's 1-0 loss at Real Sociedad as well as Real's mid-week trip in the Spanish Cup to second division Eibar, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
"In principal, I'd like to play on Tuesday (in the return leg against Eibar) but I think it is unlikely, because today I was kicking the ball and my ankle is still painful," said Beckham.
"But if I am not there, then I should be against Real Betis," he added.
"This season I'm suffering more than I expected," added Beckham on the fact that three, albeit minor injuries have forced him to miss four league games.
"But within two weeks I expect to be back to full fitness."
Beckham said he did not believe that his absence from the Real lineup had been a factor in their below-par performances in the last week.
Saturday's loss in San Sebastain meant that Real slipped to second place behind Valencia, who have a one-point lead over the reigning Spanish champions.
"There's no doubt, the last two games were disappointing but I don't think that the team is playing worse because I am not there," said Beckham.
"Two or three games haven't gone as well as expected but these things happen and there are no serious problems.
"We've just been lacking the little bit of luck that you sometimes need to win games but the important thing is we know what we have to do to improve.
"We've talked about it a lot in the dressing room but the coach doesn't have any problems motivating us," added Beckham.
