Los Angeles Galaxy and England midfielder David Beckham is ''very likely'' to return to AC Milan after Christmas, Milan CEO Adriano Galliani said Monday. ''There's a strong probability that Beckham will come to Milan on a loan until June 30,'' Galliani said on the sidelines of a sports trade convention here. Beckham, 34, is eager to boost his chances of staying in the England squad for next year's World Cup.

Last year his form at Milan led England coach Fabio Capello to keep him in the frame and he has since become his country's most-capped outfield player with 114 caps. Galliani said the terms of the loan were still being discussed with the Galaxy. ''I can't say things will be certain until there is a signature,'' he told reporters. Beckham's extension of last year's initial two-month loan, partly at his own expense, caused friction with the LA Galaxy last March but a repeat is expected to meet less resistance from the Major League Soccer outfit this time. There have been reports that some Milan execs were against footing Beckham's 85,000-euro-a-week salary again but Galliani seems ready to buck a recent cost-cutting trend at Premier Silvio Berlusconi's club. An underperforming midfield after Kaka's departure to Real Madrid has been partly blamed for Milan's stuttering start to this year's Serie A campaign. They currently lie in 12th spot, seven points behind joint leaders Sampdoria and Inter Milan.