Milan Offer Beckham a Chance to Stay in Shape

David Beckham would be welcome to train with Milan over the winter, according to the Serie A club's vice-president Adriano Galliani and manager, Carlo Ancelotti. Galliani also said the midfielder had been "close" to joining the Rossoneri before moving to LA Galaxy from Real Madrid.

The former England captain is eager to maintain his match sharpness in order to remain part of the national squad but with the Major League Soccer season coming to a close he will need to find alternative arrangements. Last year he worked with Arsenal and reports in Italy suggest that Milan could be his next port of call.

Galliani confirmed that Ancelotti would have the final say but said the club would welcome the 33-year-old midfielder training with them. "I have not heard from Beckham since the night before he transferred to Galaxy," said Galliani. "He was close to [joining] Milan before going to California but I don't know anything about the rumours in circulation. If Beckham wanted to train with Milan, then I would have to ask coach Carlo Ancelotti but from the club's point of view there would not be any problem."

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid player wants to stay in Fabio Capello's England set-up as he looks to add to his 107 caps. Two more would take him past Bobby Moore as the country's most capped outfield player.

Beckham, meanwhile, has been appointed a vice-president of England's 2018 World Cup bid alongside the former England winger John Barnes. The pair will support the newly formed executive board along with further vice-presidents soon to be announced.

"I'm proud to be part of the FA's 2018 World Cup bid and will do everything I can to help bring the tournament to England," Beckham told the FA's website.

Jose Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager, has said he will return to England in 2011 when his contract with the Serie A leaders, Internazionale, comes to an end. Mourinho took over the helm at the Serie A club in the summer after leaving Chelsea in September 2007.

However, the 45-year-old Portuguese, who watched his team beat Roma 4-0 yesterday, said: "I like difficult things. After Inter I will return to England but I want to win here first."