Beckham Update

From the LA Times:

David Beckham has returned to Los Angeles from England to resume rehabilitation work on his right knee and hopes to play for the Galaxy again before the end of the Major League Soccer season, his spokesman said Tuesday. Glenn Lehrman said Beckham flew back from London on Sunday after visiting his father, Ted, who was hospitalized last week after suffering a heart attack. Meanwhile, Lehrman scoffed at reports in England's Daily Mirror that claimed Beckham was unhappy at the quality of play in MLS and was considering a six-month loan to Sunderland of the English Premier League.

Sunderland is coached by Beckham's former Manchester United teammate Roy Keane, but the club has discounted the rumor, as has the Galaxy.

"There will be no loan moves or short-term contracts," one of Beckham's spokesman said. "He is under contract to the Galaxy."

Keane Wants Beckham On Loan At Sunderland

This was on Goal.com earlier today. I'm not sure how much this is wishful thinking by the English Press:

According to the Daily Mirror, Sunderland boss has sounded out his former Manchester United team-mate David Beckham about a six-month loan spell with the Black Cats when the American MLS season ends in November.

England midfielder and former captain Beckham has only made five appearances for the LA Galaxy since joining the MLS side in June, because a succession of ankle and knee problems have greatly restricted his playing time.

Now Keane is said to want Beckham to lend his experience to Sunderland, battling to consolidate their place in the Premier League after last season's promotion.

Beckham would join his former Manchester United team mates Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole at Sunderland if ythe loan can be agreed with the Galaxy.

And the move could benefit Beckham, who is hoping to force his way into the England squad ahead of next summer's Euro 2008 tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

But given that the Galaxy invested a reported £128million in Beckham when they signed him from Real Madrid, Sunderland could face a struggle to arrange a loan deal.