Beckham fit to return for Real Madrid

Apr 19, 2007, 11:53 GMT

Madrid - David Beckham is fit to return to action this weekend after a lengthy layoff.

The Real Madrid midfielder will probably be on the bench for Saturday's crucial clash with Valencia.

Real are in third place in 'La Liga', just one point and one place above Valencia.

The former England skipper has been out of action since early March after suffering knee ligament damage.

Beckham, who will join Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy in the summer, was initially expected to be sidelined for a month but the injury has taken longer to heal.

Real coach Fabio Capello also hopes to have Fabio Cannavaro, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Raul Gonazalez fit for Saturday.

Cannavaro returned to training on Wednesday after a bout of gastroenteritis, while van Nistelrooy has been troubled by a muscle strain.

Raul, however, is still recovering from a muscle injury to his right leg and may not be risked.

Real are also sweating on the fitness of strikers Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Antonio Reyes.

For their part, Valencia will be without Spanish international injury victims Vicente Rodriguez, Carlos Marchena and Miguel Angel Angulo - though captain David Albelda may be fit in time.