Rome  - AC Milan fans Monday relished the club's decision to include English veteran David Beckham in the list for the UEFA Cup knock-out phase set to resume later in February.

Beckham, 33, joined Milan in late December on a loan contract from Los Angeles Galaxy as the US Major League Soccer takes its break. He is due back at the California club on March 9.

The midfielder is trying to keep fit for a possible call to join England's national team, which coach Fabio Capello said he would consider only if the footballer played consistently.

He quickly became a mainstay in midfield as Milan clinched three wins and two draws in the games played since the Serie A resumed on January 11.

"In this moment he's an indispensable player," Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti was quoted as saying. "He can be fielded for two important games against Werder Bremen (on February 18 and 26).

"He fits well into the team and understands the (game) situations very quickly."

Ancelotti, however, quelled rumours that Milan can retain Beckham after the loan contract expires. "There's a contract and Milan will respect it," he said.

Encouraging news for Beckham's Italian fans came from Milan vice president Adriano Galliani, who said: "We strongly want to keep him here. Losing him would be bad, therefore we'll do any effort and attempt to retain him."

Galaxy have been adamant on having Beckham back in March and gave no signs of wanting to sell him. His contract with the Los Angeles club, where he earns 4.3 million euros (5.5 million dollars) per season, expires in 2011. (dpa)