LONDON – David Beckham will begin training with Tottenham on Monday and the club hopes a loan deal with the Los Angeles Galaxy can still be completed.
Beckham wanted to play for Spurs for two months during the Major League Soccer offseason, despite the Galaxy's reluctance to allow its star to risk another injury.
The former England captain injured his Achilles' tendon while at AC Milan last March and was out until September.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said Sunday morning that a loan was not possible after it became "all too complicated with the insurance issues" and a statement stated that Beckham would instead only train with the club.
But Redknapp later backtracked by indicating that a deal could still be reached that would allow the midfielder to play in the Premier League for the first time since 2003, when he left Manchester United for Real Madrid.
"Hopefully it could still happen. The situation is ongoing," Redknapp said after Tottenham beat Charlton 3-0 in the FA Cup. "I was led to believe that insurance was a problem, but apparently that's not the case."
Beckham's announcement in December that he was seeking another loan to Europe took the Galaxy by surprise.
The team issued a statement through the AP within hours of Beckham's comments emerging in December saying that it expected him back in training more than a month before the March 15 season opener at the Seattle Sounders.
On Sunday, Redknapp reflected that by saying: "They wanted him back in early February so that made it difficult to do a playing deal on the basis of three weeks."
Even if Beckham doesn't play, Redknapp said the midfielder can still help his squad as it prepares for a Champions League knockout matchup with Beckham's former club AC Milan and continues its push for a second straight top-four finish in the Premier League.
"He will be a great influence around the place and I am sure we will all benefit from his winning mentality," Redknapp said. "I think everyone will enjoy having him here. We'd love to have him here for longer but respect his commitments to LA Galaxy."
In a statement, Beckham thanked the Galaxy for allowing him to train with Spurs.
"It's important that I maintain a high level of fitness during the MLS offseason," said Beckham, who also trained with Arsenal three years ago. "I look forward to getting to work as soon as possible."
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid player is still hopeful of being recalled to the England team by manager Fabio Capello, having made 115 appearances — the most by any non-goalie.
Beckham also announced Sunday that his wife, Victoria, is expecting their fourth child later this year.
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