Milan expect Beckham back for five months from January

Milan hope David Beckham will return to the club for five months from January despite the anger of LA Galaxy fans, chief executive Adriano Galliani said yesterday.

The midfielder joined Milan on loan last January to stay in the England reckoning and then extended his stay in Italy, missing the start of the US season.

On his return to Los Angeles, he suffered abuse from his own Galaxy crowd and tried to confront angry supporters during the friendly against Milan on Sunday.

"David knows the gates of Milanello are open for him, his lawyers know that too," Galliani said.

"I hope he returns in January. The most probable scenario is that Beckham comes in January until the end of next season and then returns to America. Before January there is no chance."