Source: Daily_Mail
Beckham loss is a 'big blow' to World Cup plans, admits England boss Fabio
England boss Fabio Capello has revealed his agony over David Beckham's World Cup injury nightmare.[LNB]Beckham's dream of playing in a record fourth World Cup is in tattersafter he ruptured his achilles tendon playing for AC Milan on Sunday night.[LNB]He is on his way to Helsinki where he is expected to arrive at around 2pm for an operation.[LNB] Broken dream: England midfielder David Beckham leaves the pitch after being injured during AC Milan's victory over Chievo[LNB] [LNB]Beckham, 35 in May, will miss the finals in South Africa this summer and he may now have played his last game for his country.[LNB]Capello said: 'We have to wait for the results of the scan, but it looks like he is out of the World Cup. I spoke with him after the game on Sunday night to offer my support, as did Franco Baldini. [LNB] Struggle: Beckham on crutches at Milan airport on his way to Finland[LNB] [LNB]Pain game: David Beckham pulls up in the match with Chievo[LNB]'David is a great professional and has worked very hard to be ready for the World Cup, so missing it will be a big blow.'[LNB]Beckham was injured against Chievo last night and left the field in tears and on a stretcher.[LNB]The former England captain limped to the touchline during AC Milan's 1-0win and he was reported to have said 'It's broken, it's broken' as he came off. [LNB] Black and red: David Beckham was left with a bloodied face after being kicked in the face by Chievo midfielder Giampiero Pinzi [LNB]Beckham already knows he will not be going to South Africa withhis country this summer for a competition that would have given him thechance to close in on goalkeeper Peter Shilton's internationalappearance record of 125 caps.He is currently on 115. [LNB]It is expected to be three months at the very earliest before he can run, and double that before he has a chance of playing again. [LNB]More likely he will be out for the remainder of 2010 which raises inevitable questions about him ever playing a competitive match again.[LNB]Agony: David Beckham hobbles off the pitch after being injured against Chievo[LNB] [LNB]Capello added: 'I am very sad for David that he has suffered this injury.' [LNB]The surgeon who will operate on Beckham in Finland says he will be out for at least four months.[LNB]'To start kicking and playing football will be about three months,' said Dr Sakari Orava.[LNB]'For performances and maximum kicks and jumps, maybe it takes one month more, three to four months before one is able to do light playing.'[LNB]Milan coach Leonardo said after the game: 'Beckham's injury makes us feel terrible. He is an extraordinary guy and today's game proves it yet again.[LNB]'I cannot enjoy this evening considering this serious injury. David understood immediately that he had torn his Achilles tendon.' [LNB]'Beckham is not well,' added AC Milan midfielder Ignazio Abate. 'To see him suffer like that has really touched us.' [LNB]The AC Milan doctor said last night that Beckham would be out forbetween five and eight months, and the fear must be that not only hisEngland days but his career may be over. [LNB]While the 34-year-old is no longer an automatic choice for thestarting line-up, Capello saw him as an alternative to the quickwingers he prefers and someone who has a positive influence in thedressing room[LNB]VIDEO: Big blow for Beckham... [LNB] Heart-break: Beckham (bottom) lies on the pitch in front of AC Milan coach Leonardo[LNB] BECKHAM'S WORLD CUPS1998: Beckham wasn't picked for England's opening two group gamesin France but scored his first international goal in the third against Colombia with a spectacular free-kick. He was then sent off against Argentina for kicking out at Diego Simeone as Glenn Hoddle's England went out on penalties.2002:Beckham overcame a brokenmetatarsal to lead Sven Goran Eriksson's side in Japan and South Korea. He cored a match-winning penalty against Argentina before quarter-final heartbreak against Brazil.2006: Beckham's record-equalling third appearance for England at the finals in Germany again saw him at the heart of Eriksson's team. A second-round goal against Ecuador was his last as skipper. He gave up the armband 24 hours after England's exit toPortugal on penalties.[LNB]Only last week Beckham proved his value when he went on during Milan's Champions League game againstManchester United at Old Trafford.[LNB]Milan were comprehensively beaten4-0 on the night, and 7-2 on aggregate, by the English champions butBeckham emerged as their most effective player. [LNB]His commitment to playing at the World Cup has been admirable.Conscious that his England place was under threat while an LA Galaxyplayer, he completed a loan move to Milan for the last two winters in abid to satisfy Capello. [LNB]That he has succeeded in remaining a member of the Italian's squadreflects well on him but this injury will raise questions over whetherhe is a victim of playing an essentially year-long season. [LNB]Returning to the starting line-up after Milan's loss to United lastnight, Beckham had also been treated for a deep cut to his right cheekearly in the first half following a collision. [LNB]Beckham's injury continues a wretched run of bad luck for England.As well as stripping John Terry of the captaincy amid the scandal andcontroversy over his affair with Vanessa Perroncel that also caused hisformer Chelsea teammate Wayne Bridge to make himself unavailable forhis country, manager Capello has major concerns over the fitness ofAshley Cole, who suffered a fractured ankle last month.[LNB]In addition to that, there are nagging worries over the fitness andform of new skipper Rio Ferdinand as well as fellow defender GlenJohnson [LNB] Agony: Distraught Beckham is seen leaving the San Siro[LNB]Capello suddenly sess his right-sided options starting to dwindle given Harry Redknapp has revealed Aaron Lennon is nowhere near a comeback from a groin injury that has plagued him since December. [LNB]Those fitness problems should bolster the chances of both Theo Walcott and Shaun Wright-Phillips being involved. [LNB]Capello also knows the ultra-reliable James Milner could always fill in if necessary, although the Aston Villa man lacks the pace required to be a first-choice wide-man. [LNB] Last time: David Beckham playing for England in World Cup qualifier against Belarus[LNB]If England did go with Walcott and Wright-Phillips, it would enhance the chances of Joe Cole - whose recent form has been patchy - and Stewart Downing. [LNB]However, the left-field option would be Manchester City new-boy Adam Johnson, who scored a superb equaliser for Manchester City at Sunderland on Sunday.[LNB]So, while he is yet to earn a full cap - or even a senior call-up - it would be no surprise if Johnson was selected in amongst the 30 players Capello intends to take to two training camps in Austria immediately after the FA Cup final on May 15. [LNB] PICTURE SPECIAL: Anguished David Beckham heads to Finland as achilles injury wrecks World Cup dream David Beckham in tears as cruel achilles injury in AC Milan win wrecks World Cup dream David Beckham out of World Cup after Milan confirm England midfielder has torn his Achilles tendonDavid Beckham highs and lows - from winning the double at United to World Cup heartache David Beckham stretchered off in Milan victory: World Cup fear for England midfielder[LNB] [LNB]
