Beckham on Milan Uefa Cup list

AC Milan have confirmed David Beckham has been included on their updated Uefa Cup player list - fuelling speculation they may try to keep him beyond his short-term loan.

The England midfielder has been in impressive form since joining the Italian club last month and it has been widely reported he will stay beyond 9 March, when he is due back at parent club the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said after last night's 3-0 defeat of Lazio: "We have included Beckham in the Uefa Cup list because he is doing very well.

"We want to take advantage of his form for the two games against Werder Bremen (on February 18 and 26)."

The win in Rome saw Milan leapfrog Juventus into second place in Serie A, and narrow the gap on leaders Inter Milan to six points.

"It's a good moment for us," said Ancelotti. "We are showing more confidence. We showed no fear and we look to the future with optimism.

"However, we are still behind Inter and although we still believe we can win the Scudetto, Inter still have the upper hand."

Ancelotti was not completely satisfied despite the resounding win.

"We didn't make the most of our chances," he added. "But I think today my strikers did well."

Beckham had been a doubt before the game with a leg muscle problem but started and provided goals for Alexandre Pato and Massimo Ambrosini either side of half-time.

Kaka killed the game off with seven minutes remaining.