By Rob Carragher Last updated: 3rd January 2009
Beckham: Impressing in Italy
AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti has hailed the impression that David Beckham has made during his first weeks with the Italian outfit.
Beckham is currently on loan with the footballing giants in a short-term deal from LA Galaxy, as the winger looks to aid his fitness and work his way back into the England fold.
The 33-year-old had been expected to ease his way slowly into the AC Milan side, but, after witnessing his ability in practice sessions, Ancelotti is keen to put the former Manchester United star into action as soon as possible.
"He is impeccable in training," Ancelotti told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"We're working hard and even though he was out of action for two months before coming to us, he's withstood all our tests and his condition is good.
"He's lacking a bit of strength but that's normal considering his long break."
A friendly has been set up to give Beckham his debut and keep the Milan stars in shape, and with the recommencement of the Italian league on the horizon, Beckham could yet go straight into the squad for the crunch tie with Roma next weekend.
"He'll play in the friendly against Hamburg," confirmed Ancelotti.
"He's ready for the game against Roma, so why shouldn't he play?
"It's true that he hasn't played for a while but he's working very hard and he's really making a great impression on me."

Beckham - Henry isn't a cheat
League One Round Up - 21st November
Championship Round Up - 21st November
League Two Round Up - 21st November
Tottenham v Wigan - 2nd Half
Tottenham v Wigan - 1st Half
Stoke 1-0 Portsmouth - Fuller and Sorensen
Tottenham 9-1 Wigan - Defoe
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 28th November | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| 17:00 | Udinese vs Livorno |
| 19:45 | Genoa vs Sampdoria |
| Sunday 29th November | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| 14:00 | Atalanta vs Roma |
| 14:00 | Bari vs Siena |
| 14:00 | Cagliari vs Juventus |
| 14:00 | Chievo vs Palermo |
| 14:00 | Inter Milan vs Fiorentina |
| 14:00 | Lazio vs Bologna |
| 14:00 | Parma vs Napoli |
| 19:45 | Catania vs AC Milan |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| 17:00 | AC Milan vs Sampdoria |
| 19:45 | Juventus vs Inter Milan |
| Sunday 6th December | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| 14:00 | Bologna vs Udinese |
| 14:00 | Fiorentina vs Atalanta |
| 14:00 | Genoa vs Parma |
| 14:00 | Livorno vs Chievo |
| 14:00 | Napoli vs Bari |
| 14:00 | Palermo vs Cagliari |
| 14:00 | Siena vs Catania |
| 19:45 | Roma vs Lazio |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| Livorno 2 - 1 Genoa | |
| AC Milan 4 - 3 Cagliari | |
| Palermo 1 - 1 Catania | |
| Roma 3 - 1 Bari | |
| Napoli 0 - 0 Lazio | |
| Sampdoria 2 - 1 Chievo | |
| Juventus 1 - 0 Udinese | |
| Siena 0 - 2 Atalanta | |
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| Bologna 1 - 3 Inter Milan | |
| Fiorentina 2 - 3 Parma | |
| Sunday 8th November | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| Bari 1 - 0 Livorno | |
| Bologna 3 - 1 Palermo | |
| Genoa 4 - 2 Siena | |
| Cagliari 2 - 0 Sampdoria | |
| Parma 2 - 0 Chievo | |
| Inter Milan 1 - 1 Roma | |
| Udinese 0 - 1 Fiorentina | |
| Lazio 1 - 2 AC Milan | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| Catania 0 - 0 Napoli | |
| Atalanta 2 - 5 Juventus | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inter Milan | 13 | 32 |
| 2 | Juventus | 13 | 27 |
| 3 | AC Milan | 13 | 25 |
| 4 | Sampdoria | 13 | 24 |
| 5 | Parma | 13 | 23 |
| 6 | Fiorentina | 13 | 21 |
| 7 | Genoa | 13 | 20 |
| 8 | Cagliari | 13 | 19 |
| 9 | Napoli | 13 | 19 |
| 10 | Bari | 13 | 18 |
| 11 | Roma | 13 | 18 |
| 12 | Palermo | 13 | 17 |
| 13 | Chievo | 13 | 15 |
| 14 | Udinese | 13 | 15 |
| 15 | Lazio | 13 | 12 |
| 16 | Bologna | 13 | 12 |
| 17 | Atalanta | 13 | 12 |
| 18 | Livorno | 13 | 12 |
| 19 | Catania | 13 | 9 |
| 20 | Siena | 13 | 6 |
Barca and Real both won, Gers closed the gap on Celtic while Lyon and Marseille drew 5-5.
Sunderland fan Lucinda Gittins was strutting her stuff in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Barca were stunned by a late leveller, Gers' match was abandoned while Inter march on in Serie A.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic could yet return to Italy before he retires, according to his agent Mino Raiola.
Filippo Inzaghi is hoping to be offered the opportunity to see out his playing days at AC Milan.
AC Milan edged a seven-goal thriller against Cagliari, while Francesco Totti was the hero for Roma.
Reports in Italy suggest Arsenal are preparing an approach for Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini.
Leonardo has reiterated that Gennaro Gattuso will not be leaving AC Milan in the January transfer window.