Injury dampens Beckham joy

MILAN // David Beckham hopes an abductor injury which cut short his most impressive performance so far for AC Milan on Wednesday night does not turn out to be serious. The England midfielder asked to be replaced in the 71st minute of his side's 1-1 draw with Genoa after scoring the opener with a stunning free-kick in the first half. "It's the abductor," he said. "It's painful, but hopefully I will be fit for the game at the weekend [against Lazio on Sunday]."

Under the watchful eye of England coach Fabio Capello, Beckham scored his second Milan goal with an angled free-kick in the 33rd minute, which endeared him even more to the Rossoneri fans. That goal had looked destined to win the game for Milan, but Diego Milito's late equaliser ensured Genoa took a share of the spoils. However, Beckham claimed the appearance of Capello at the San Siro had not influenced his performance. "I haven't spoken to him, but I know he was at the game because I read it in the papers," he said. "I think I was more concentrating on playing the game and playing well for the team."

By dropping two points against Genoa, Milan are now eight points behind league leaders Inter Milan, who beat Catania 2-0 and two-behind second-placed Juventus, who lost to 2-1 Udinese. * PA Sport