Galaxy’s Landon Donovan is staying home, and David Beckham is expected back

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Galaxy forward/midfielder Landon Donovan said Tuesday that he will not be going on loan to a team in Europe in January but instead will rest and recuperate for the 2011 Major League Soccer season that starts March 15.

At the same time, the Galaxy said that it expects midfielder David Beckham to report to preseason training at the end of January and not to be going on loan elsewhere, as Beckham had suggested Sunday night that he might try to do.

‘We are not aware that David is looking to be loaned to any team and we are fully expecting he reports with the rest of his Galaxy teammates in late January for the upcoming season,’ the Galaxy said in a statement released Monday.

On Tuesday, the club took the same line with Donovan.

‘We think in the best interest of the club and the player that Landon continues his postseason break and begins preparations for what will be a challenging year in 2011 at both the domestic and international levels,’ said Bruce Arena, the Galaxy’s coach and general manager. ‘We expect Landon to join our club for the start of preseason training next month.’

Donovan did not seem particularly upset by the development.

‘While I enjoyed my time at Everton last season and still appreciate all the support their fans have given me, I feel that it is important to continue to rest and recover this offseason as opposed to going on loan,’ he said.

‘I never considered being loaned to a club other than Everton, but I have been playing nearly nonstop for the past two years, and I believe that this decision will allow me to perform at my best for the Galaxy and the national team throughout the coming year.’

-- Grahame L. Jones