Leonardo happy to have 'motivated' David Beckham back at Milan

The Milan coach, Leonardo, has said he is happy to have David Beckham available as his team face Genoa tomorrow in the first Serie A game after the winter break. Milan are eight points behind the leaders, Internazionale, but have not given up hope of catching their city rivals. "He [Beckham] is the same as when we parted ways last year - he is a steady character and motivated as always," Leonardo said. Beckham, who has rejoined Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy on a five-month loan to try to safeguard an England World Cup place, had also said he would be happy to play in an unaccustomed defensive role with Massimo Oddo injured, but Leonardo said he was unlikely to try the 34-year-old midfielder at full-back. "Beckham as a full-back? I haven't tried him in that position because I think at full-back we are well covered," Leonardo said. "In any case he is very willing to try every solution. If I see new ideas which can help get results, I am open." Beckham's chances of a start in his first game back in Italy, a fixture where he scored last term, have been boosted by minor injuries to the midfielders Clarence Seedorf and Andrea Pirlo, which could rule them out. Luca Toni, meanwhile, is another player with an eye on the World Cup who is hoping to mark his comeback on Wednesday. The striker has joined Roma on loan until the end of the season from Bayern Munich and could feature against Cagliari. He said: "I'm extremely motivated and very happy to be here," he said. "Roma is the right place to get myself back in form and aim for the World Cup."