David Beckham's New Year arrival in Italy is set to provide a much-needed boost to AC Milan's injury-depleted squad. Beckham will join Milan on a loan deal in January but will return to Los Angeles Galaxy for the start of the 2009 Major League Soccer season in March.

His arrival comes at the perfect time for Carlo Ancelotti, the AC manager, whose side were without injured midfielders Gennaro Gattuso and Kaka for last night's 4-2 defeat at Juventus. "At this point, Beckham becomes even more useful and important to us," Ancelotti said.

Beckham may not have the defensive qualities of Gattuso, but this has not prevented his future manager from expressing disappointment that Beckham’s stay is so brief. "We hope he will fall in love and that sentiments prevail,” said Ancelotti. "Unfortunately, at this time, it looks unlikely he will stay longer because I have seen his advertising contracts and they are scary."

AC may also look to strengthen their defence in January with the performance against Juventus undermined by a number of sloppy individual errors. "We are too vulnerable in defence," admitted Ancelotti. "We have conceded too many opportunities and that annoys me. The difference between the two sides was defensively. Juve have taken advantage of our mistakes and we have given away four goals, that's too many."

AC entertain struggling Udinese on Sunday with Beckham expected to watch the last game of the year from the stands at the San Siro. Ancelotti's side go into next weekend's game nine points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan.