Beckham must play for a minimum of 55 minutes in New Zealand

The Phoenix, New Zealand's A-League franchise, and the local council have pledged cash for the exhibition game.

But the 32-year-old England midfielder, currently sidelined with a knee injury, must play for at least 55 minutes.

Phoenix owner Terry Serepisos told the Dominion Post: "If he is injured prior to the game it will be rescheduled."

LA Galaxy play Sydney FC on 27 November and will extend their mini-tour of Australasia to take on Phoenix.

Serepisos added: "We as the club are bearing most of the costs and it's crucial David Beckham takes the field and plays."

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to Beckham in the MLS

Local councillor and former New Zealand cricketer John Morrison confirmed the contract with Galaxy included an agreed minimum game-time for England international Beckham.

Morrison said: "It is a minimum of 55 minutes and hopefully the whole game. We need to attract a 30,000-plus crowd."

Beckham has been troubled by injuries since his high-profile move to America.

He suffered knee ligament damage playing for the Galaxy against Pachuco at the end of August.

That sidelined him for six weeks, ruling him out of England's recent Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia.