David
Beckham is set to be on the substitutes' bench for AC Milan's Serie
A clash with Roma.
The 33-year-old joined the Rossoneri recently on a
short-term loan deal while his full-time employers, Major League
Soccer side Los Angeles Galaxy, are in their close
season.
Milan get their league campaign back under way on Sunday after
their own winter break with a trip to the Italian capital.
And while Ancelotti has already stated Beckham will make his
Milan debut at the Stadio Olimpico, he announced on Saturday that
the England midfielder will have to start as a substitute.
"Beckham is ready to play even if he has been out of action for
two months," he told a press conference.
"But it is therefore difficult to give him a starting spot
tomorrow in the match against Roma."
Beckham is due to return to the United States on March 9 when
the MLS season resumes.
However, former LA Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas has
expressed his fears that the 33-year-old may be tempted to bring an
early end to his time in the States in order to stay with
Milan.
But while Ancelotti admitted he would be happy to have him, the
coach does not see Beckham staying in Europe beyond the length of
his loan spell.
"He is ready to give an important contribution and we at Milan
are happy he will be with us, if only for two months," Ancelotti
continued.
"If then he wants to stay with us it would be great, but the
contract he has with Milan is clear and I believe he will respect
it."