Chris Birchall is happy to see David Beckham fit again and has expressed frustration at his LA Galaxy team-mate's treatment by England.
The experienced midfielder suffered the injury during a loan spell at AC Milan and his appearance on Saturday will be his first for the Galaxy in 10 months.
Birchall is looking forward to the former Manchester United star's return and revealed the players have been trying to keep Beckham's spirits up.
Miserable
"It's nice," Birchall told Sky Sports News about Beckham's comeback. "He was away for a considerable time with the injury and before that with AC Milan.
"It's good to have him back. He's been miserable for the last six months.
"We've been trying to keep him entertained, keep him laughing and keep his spirits high.
"He'll be glad to get back on the pitch and earlier than what everyone supposedly was expecting."
Birchall also discussed Beckham's England career which appeared to be over last month when Fabio Capello said the 35-year-old would not play a competitive game for the national team again.
Capello has since softened his stance by insisting the door remains open and former Coventry midfielder Birchall would welcome the sight of Beckham in an England shirt again.
Frustrated
He added: "Not just as a team-mate, but as a fan as well, like the general public are probably frustrated.
"David has said it's brushed under the carpet, it's all sorted and he's spoken to Capello, but for everybody else it's frustrating hearing the way he's got treated at times.
"It's not the first time. I think it happened at Real Madrid as well, it seemed he was told he would never play for them again and Capello changed his mind, and he miraculously came back and played. It seems to have happened again.
"It's more frustrating for the fans and public, who respect David and idolise him, to see him getting treated that way.
"But he's been told the door's back open, so I suppose he's happy in that aspect. We all want to see him get back on the pitch for the Galaxy and England as well."