Beckham team-mate Donovan struck by swine flu

US forward Landon Donovan has contracted swine flu but is not contagious and he might play for the Los Angeles Galaxy in a Major League Soccer match today against visiting Seattle.

The Galaxy announced yesterday that Donovan had tested positive for swine flu and that the midfielder, coming off the Americans' 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat in Mexico, would not practice but might play this weekend.

"It certainly depends on how Landon feels and what the doctors tell me," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said.

"He might be an option, depending on how quickly he can turn it around."

England midfielder David Beckham, criticised by Donovan in a book published last month, was also set to skip the workout after being recalled for international duty in Holland.

Donovan, who has scored nine goals this season for the Galaxy, has been ill since joining the US squad last Sunday in Florida ahead of the Mexico match, but there is no danger of infection, Arena said.

"It's not infectious. We're well past that stage," Arena said.

Arena said Donovan was thought to have contracted swine flu from two Galaxy staffers who caught the disease.

The US Soccer Federation followed the Galaxy announcement by saying the group's medical staff would provide treatment to all players, coaches and staff members that were in the delegation.

No other players on the US squad displayed flu-like symptoms in camp, but all US delegation members in contact with Donovan were advised to take 75mg Tamiflu doses for 10 days.

"We have prescribed the medication to players, coaches and staff members who may have come in close contact with Landon Donovan solely as a preventative measure," said David Wallis, a doctor on the US Soccer medical staff.

"Individuals who did not experience close contact with the player, such as journalists, fans or opposing players, do not need to take any preventative measures."

Donovan has mild symptoms and is expected to be fine after the weekend, Wallis said.