Galaxy wants Becks to miss Dutch clash

Los Angeles Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena is ready to ask England boss Fabio Capello not to include David Beckham in his squad for this summer's friendly against Holland.

Arena, the former United States coach, wants Beckham to stay with the Galaxy for as long as possible when he returns from his extended loan deal at AC Milan on July 1 - and that includes missing England's August 12 friendly in Amsterdam.

Arena told the Los Angeles Times: "I would certainly request that David not be called in for the friendly,"

He added: "It's probably not necessary for him to be there, and at the appropriate time I will discuss this with David and get his impression as well as contact the English."

The Galaxy and Milan finally thrashed out an agreement at the weekend for Beckham to stay on loan in Italy until May 31.

The England midfielder will therefore be available to play his first Major League Soccer game of the season for the Galaxy on July 16 at the New York Red Bulls, before making his first appearance in LA in a friendly against AC Milan three days later at the Home Depot Center.

Arena said he believed Beckham would be much better equipped to join the Galaxy midway through the MLS season than he had been when first arriving at the club in July 2007.

"This situation is considerably better than it was in 2007 for a variety of reasons," he said. "One is that David is settled in LA.

"Two, he is well aware of his environment now. He knows the league, he knows the team. So I think his transition is much smoother this time around."