IPSWICH Town player Carlos Edwards is being lined up as the man to fill David Beckham’s boots at LA Galaxy.

The American side are preparing for the exit of their English superstar who, having finally achieved his dream of helping the Californian team win a Major League Soccer title last month, is very soon to be out of contract.

That will leave manager Bruce Arena with one of his three ‘designated player’ slots to fill – a rule which allows MLS clubs to register a limited number of players above the league’s salary cap.

Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane and USA star midfielder Landon Donovan are the other two.

And the EADT/Evening Star understands that tentative enquiries have already been made about 33-year-old Edwards – a player who constantly travels between Suffolk and the Caribbean to represent his native Trinidad and Tobago.

The versatile right-back is one of a number of Town players in the final year of their current deals, with those in that position able to start negotiating end-of-season free transfer switches come the New Year.

Alternatively, with the new MLS season kicking off next March, Galaxy may be tempted to try to sign him immediately in a cut-price deal come the January transfer window .

Edwards has always said that he wants to stay at Town, but he may understandably be tempted to move back to warmer climes and play in a league which has already attracted the likes of Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls).