LA Galaxy have concerns over the commitment of David Beckham. The midfield ace, 34, has been nursing an Achilles injury and is rated as "questionable" to take on Chicago Fire at home in a crunch clash tonight.
The Galaxy need one win from their last three games to clinch their first play-off spot in four years.
But there is a growing feeling that Becks would rather protect his inflamed tendon ahead of the World Cup qualifiers with Ukraine and Belarus as he bids to stay in Fabio Capello's England squad for South Africa next year.
A club insider told The Sun: "We know the injury has been a problem for David in the past and it has flared up again recently.
"But it seems he is being ultra-cautious about testing it at the moment."