Beckham says he likely won't play in Toronto

Former England captain David Beckham all but ruled himself out of making his Major League Soccer debut in Toronto on Sunday.

Beckham, who traveled with his Galaxy teammates to Toronto on Friday, spoke to the media on Saturday and indicated he did not expect to play.

"Unless there's a drastic change I won't be playing tomorrow," said the England midfielder, who is still recovering from a nagging ankle injury that his limited his playing time to a 78th minute substitute's appearance in a friendly against Chelsea two weeks ago.

"Today was the first time that I ran. Running straight forward is not a problem, but turning corners is still a problem, and I don't think I'll be involved in the game."

Beckham even threw into doubt his participation in the Galaxy's next game, on Thursday against DC United in Washington.

"It would be nice to play some part of the game in Washington but I'll just have to keep my fingers' crossed," he said. "A week to 10 days is what I'm looking at."

With only 12 minutes played at the end of the Chelsea friendly, Beckham has kept fans guessing as to what sort of impact he can have as he begins a five year contract with the Galax

Eriksson targets Aussie star Bresciano

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson could make Australian midfielder Mark Bresciano his ninth signing of the summer on Sunday.

Former England manager Eriksson refused to state whether the Palermo player was the man he was after, but the Swede appeared to give the game away when he was asked whether he was trying to sign an Italian.

"Maybe not an Italian, but possibly someone who has played in the Italian league," he said.

Bresciano's arrival would certainly bring some bite to the City midfield, a commodity which appeared to be lacking in Saturday's 1-0 home friendly defeat to Valencia.

In a contest of few chances, David Silva's 10th-minute effort proved decisive, with both Michael Johnson and Ronaldo Bianchi hitting the bar as Eriksson's team strove for an equaliser.

Hammers fume as Dyer deal 'off'

West Ham were left fuming on Saturday after claiming Newcastle pulled the plug of on six-million-pound deal which would have taken England midfielder Kieron Dyer to Upton Park.

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley insisted the deal was now "definitely off".

"We made an offer, had it accepted, agreed personal terms and the player passed a medical but it was pulled at the 11th hour by Newcastle and there's not much we can do about that," said Curbishley.

"It has never happened to me before. We are disappointed and the player is very disappointed but it's definitely off."

It remains unclear whether Newcastle had asked West Ham for more money after the London club had been promised two million pounds in the settlement over Carlos Tevez or whether a higher offer had then come in for Dyer.

Curbishley, who saw his side come back from behind to defeat Roma 2-1 at Upton Park in the final pre-season friendly, also insisted the Hammers had made efforts to keep Tevez who has moved to champions Manchester United.

"I'm disappointed he didn't want to come back to us. We tried but he decided his future is elsewhere. So all I can say is thanks for what he did.

"I don't believe he was the only player here last year but obviously had a big say in things. He knew we were keen for him to stay, but once Manchester United came in he decided his future was elsewhere."

Substitute Dean Ashton netted a 68-minute winner against the Serie A side who fielded Francesco Totti among other well-known names, after George McCartney's header had cancelled out Ludovic Giuly's first-half opener.

Ashton had been sidelined for a year after suffering an injury during an England training session but looked fighting fit by brushing past defender Max Tonetto and beating the goalkeeper with ease.

Blades secure Beattie and Carney transfer double

English Championship side Sheffield United on Saturday secured the signing of Everton striker James Beattie in a four-million-pound (5.9 million euro) deal.

Beattie's move to the Blades also coincides with the transfer of Sydney FC's Australian international David Carney to Bryan Robson's side for 50,000 pounds (74,200 euros).

Blades' boss Robson was happy to capture the 29-year-old Beattie as they begin their campaign to reclaim their English Premiership place.

He said: "We've got a strike force now that ranks as the best in the Championship. It's a signal of our intention to return to the top flight."

Beattie told the BBC that he was hoping to only spend one season in the Championship.

"I've been very impressed with the manager and the chairman. It's an ambitious club and I'm confident I can help them make a swift return to the top flight.

"Twelve months ago I was starting a new season as Everton's leading goalscorer, but last season was a nightmare."

Beattie suffered a frustrating time at Goodison Park and was muscled out of the side by Andy Johnson last season.

After having scored just 13 goals in his 76 appearances for Everton, Beattie fell out of favour with boss David Moyes.

Carney, a 23-year-year-old midfielder, impressed Robson with his performances in the recent Asia Cup and is believed to have signed a three-year contract.

"This is a great move for me. I reckon I need a couple of weeks training before I'm fully fit but I can't wait to get going. Hopefully I can help the Blades bounce straight back to the Premiership.

"A lot of people wanted me to stay in Australia but if I want to better my career this is the place to be," he said.