CARSON, California (Ticker) - David Beckham was named among the substitutes for the Los Angeles Galaxy’s crucial home game against the New York Red Bulls on Thursday night.

The England midfielder, who has been missing for more than six weeks through injury, had returned to full practice this week and was declared available for selection by coach Frank Yallop on Wednesday.

The Galaxy are on a five-game winning streak, and they can keep once slim hopes of reaching the playoffs alive if they can avoid defeat against New York. Their postseason hopes would then ride on a showdown with Chicago in the Windy City on Sunday, with the winner of that game advancing.