David Beckham launched an impassioned defence of his professionalism last night and stated his determination to play at next summer's World Cup finals.

The England midfield player will make his first appearance of a 12- month season this evening, for the Los Angeles Galaxy against the New York Red Bulls in New Jersey, 360 days before the World Cup final.

Beckham is expected to start on his first appearance for the Galaxy since returning from a six-month loan at AC Milan and may receive a hostile reception if yesterday's press conference is anything to go by. The 34-year-old was forced to explain his decision to leave the club that pay him £25milllion a year and to defend his professionalism after criticism from Landon Donovan, a Galaxy team-mate. “If people want to question my professionalism and my commitment they should take into account that I travel thousands of miles to play for my country,” Beckham said.

“Whenever I'm called up for a squad for my country, I will turn up. I've always been very positive and honest about my play here. I explained to everyone - the manager, the players, the fans - the reasoning behind me going to Milan. I've always said I'd be coming back. Maybe one or two didn't believe me, but I'm here. I don't feel I owe an apology to anyone.”

Beckham's position is made even more difficult by the fact that he is planning to leave the Galaxy again at the start of next season, with Milan having expressed interest in taking him for another six-month loan.

“Leading on to the World Cup, the England manager [Fabio Capello] has made it very clear to me that I need to be playing at European level,” Beckham said.

“I'd always regret it if I didn't do everything to give myself a chance to be involved. I think it would have to be another six months leading up to the World Cup. But, with the last loan, it worked out pretty well.”