Ronaldinho (L) and David Beckham during the training session at Milanello on December 29, 2009 in Varese, Italy.

Beckham this week has returned for a second loan spell in Serie A in a bid to convince Fabio Capello he is fit and sharp enough to deserve a place in England’s squad for South Africa next summer.

And Rossoneri doctor Massimo Manara gave the the former Real Madrid star a ringing endorsement, saying he was in as good a condition as last year when Beckham took Italy by storm with a series of impressive performances.

Beckham had had trouble with a bruised right ankle bone over the last few weeks of the MLS season, in which LA Galaxy fell to Real Salt Lake in the MLS Cup.

‘I found David Beckham really well,’ Manara told the club’s television channel. ‘Even though a year has passed, he looked to be at the same level as a year ago to me. The problem he had with his right foot in previous weeks is resolved.’

It will be interesting to see how the next couple of months play out, given that England Manager Fabio Capello has already stated that if David Beckham is fit and playing regularly at AC Milan, the 34 year old will be on the plane to South Africa.

source, image via daylife