David Beckham faces a fitness test today to determine whether he flies with the Los Angeles Galaxy squad for their must-win SuperLiga clash with FC Dallas tomorrow night.

Beckham has not played or even trained with his new team-mates since his brief debut against Chelsea nine days ago and has continued to struggle to overcome an injury to his left ankle first sustained on England duty against Estonia at the start of June.

Galaxy must win their final group game against Dallas in the eight-team tournament if they are to progress to the knockout stage of the competition between MLS and Mexican clubs.

With a return to the league campaign next Sunday in Toronto, however, Frank Yallop, the Galaxy head coach, will not risk a seven-hour round trip to Texas if Beckham cannot prove his fitness and a decision will be made after training at the Home Depot Center.

The England star watched from the dugout on Saturday night as the Galaxy were beaten 2-1 by Chivas Guadalajara in front of 37,337 mostly Mexican fans at the Los Angeles Coliseum in a performance team captain Landon Donovan described as "awful."

Meanwhile, Brazilian football legend Pele has urged Beckham to focus totally on his sport if he is to succeed in the United States.

"David Beckham is more of a pop star than a player," Pele said. "From my experience with New York Cosmos, I would advise him to be very well prepared for the matches.

"I know the level of play in the league. It is well balanced, and the spectators will demand a lot from him as their star player. But when there's no training or practice, then he can stroll through Hollywood."