Beckham in doubt for Barca game due to ankle injury

MADRID, Mar 26 (Reuters) David Beckham may not be fit for Saturdays league game against Barcelona at the Nou Camp after aggravating a bruised ankle in training today.

''Just kicking the ball is really painful,'' said the England captain. ''I've had an anti-inflammatory injection and ice, but I'll just have to give it a bit of rest and see how it is.

''We will just have to see what the swelling is like and if goes down or not. The pain is the problem. I hope I'll be able to play though,'' he told reporters.

Beckham sustained the injury when he was kicked on his right ankle in Sunday's 4-0 victory over Deportivo Coruna.

Real will almost certainly be without centre-back Jonathan Woodgate due to back pain as he recovers from a thigh injury that has kept him out of action for the last month.

Real, who are 11 points behind Barcelona in second place in the Primera Liga, lost 3-0 to the Catalans at the Bernabeu earlier this season.

Reuters DH RS2010