Beckham should be ready to play this weekend

David Beckham should be ready to play this weekend for Real Madrid after missing a month with two cracked ribs.

The club said the English midfielder played a practice game Tuesday with his teammates at Madrid's Las Rozas training ground. Beckham has been sidelined since being injured during England's World Cup qualifier against Wales on Oct. 9.

Beckham's recovery could enable him to play in Sunday's home league match against Albacete, and then act as captain for England against Spain in an exhibition game at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium three days later.

Madrid plays archrival FC Barcelona on Nov. 20 in the most anticipated game so far of the Spanish season.

The club said Beckham would not appear in Wednesday's Copa del Rey second-round match against Tenerife. Real is second in the Spanish league, seven points behind Barcelona.