David Beckham is set to make his Serie A bow for AC Milan at AS Roma on Sunday night - but most likely from the bench rather than the starting line-up.
The 33-year-old England midfielder, who has signed from the LA Galaxy for three months to keep up his hopes of adding to his 107 caps, trotted through his Milan debut in a 1-1 friendly draw with Hamburg SV in Dubai Tuesday, his first competitive match since October.
Busy but unspectacular, he was praised by coach Carlo Ancelotti for his attitude and work rate.
Ancelotti has declined to say what Beckham's chances are of getting some playing time at the Olimpico but pundits reckon he could be brought on late in the game for third-placed Milan, who resume their Serie A campaign after the three-week Christmas break nine points behind leaders Inter Milan.
Most experts think Beckham, who called the Dubai experience ''fantastic'' and said he was ''ready'' for a league start, would only be employed if the match was safe.
The England star has been pleased with his fitness levels and Milan physio Daniele Tognaccini said Thursday: ''He isn't used to the kind of work we do but we're all satisfied''.
Roma have climbed to midtable from the lower reaches of Serie A, playing some entertaining stuff after Francesco Totti returned from injury, but the iconic skipper is out again till March.
Inter will be without suspended Brazil defender Maicon for Saturday night's home match against 13th-placed Cagliari while second-placed Juventus, six points behind Inter, could have Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon back as they host 14th-placed Siena on Sunday.
Fiorentina, a point behind Milan in fourth, entertain 18th-placed Lecce in another of the Sunday afternoon games.
Fifth-placed Napoli, two points behind the Florentines, host 8th-placed Catania while sixth-placed Genoa, a point below Napoli, take on 16th-placed Torino in the early Saturday game.
