Britain's David Beckham smiles at fans as he stretches during his first official soccer practice session for the Los Angeles Galaxy at their stadium in Carson, California, yesterday. - Reuters

carson, california (ap)

David Beckham was limited to some stretching and kicking drills because of a lingering ankle injury in his first practice yesterday since joining the Los Angeles Galaxy.

He is scheduled to make his playing debut on Saturday in a friendly against Chelsea, and Galaxy coach Frank Yallop said the superstar midfielder's progress will be monitored daily.

"His ankle is quite swollen," Yallop said. "We're hoping it recovers quickly and he can have some part in the game."

Beckham didn't speak to reporters after practice.

He smiled and waved to about 1,000 fans who attended the open practice three days after Beckham's confetti-filled introduction at the stadium.

Several of his number 23 jerseys - L.A.'s hottest fashion trend - were spotted in the stands.

Beckham originally hurt his left ankle playing for England in a European Championship qualifier on June 6 and it flared up again on June 17 in his final game with Real Madrid.

Saturday's game, part of the four-team World Series of Football, is sold out and ESPN will televise it live, using 19 cameras to track Beckham.