Capello offers inconsolable Beckham a World Cup role

A 50-minute operation to repair David Beckham's torn Achilles tendon, sustained in an AC Milan match on Sunday, has gone "smoothly and nicely", according to the orthopaedic surgeon Sakari Orava, who carried out the procedure in Helsinki yesterday. But he confirmed the worst - that the 34-year-old player could not hope to recover in time for the World Cup this summer.

"Healing takes a long time," said Orava. "He had a total tear of the left Achilles tendon and that has been repaired." He said it could be three months before Beckham is even able to walk properly again.

As The First Post reported yesterday, Beckham had worked hard to win a spot in Fabio Capello's 23-man squad for the World Cup. As a result he has received considerable sympathy following his injury, even if many observers say England's chances won't be harmed by his exclusion.

However, Capello himself seems to be aware of his iconic midfielder's importance to England's hopes and is reported to have offered to find him a role to play in South Africa if he would like it. According to the Daily Telegraph, it could involve him joining the squad in a coaching role, an ambassadorial role or as a glorified cheer-leader.

Meanwhile, Bechkam has put on a brave face, issuing a statement thanking fans for their support and saying he was "upset" by the injury but hoped to make a "swift" recovery.

The truth is his dream of playing again for England in one last tournament has been shattered. Ignazio Abate, an AC Milan teammate, said Beckham was "inconsolable" and in tears after tearing the tendon and realising the consequences.

Sir Bobby Charlton, the former England and Manchester United player who has known Beckham since he was "a lad" coming up through the ranks at Old Trafford, writes in today's Daily Telegraph: "He was a little boy really when I first met him and the one thing that he loved was the game of football.

"That love overshadowed everything else in his world. It was never about money or glory or anything like that with David. He just loved playing football... I would imagine that the thing that is tearing at him at the moment is the possibility that he might not play the game that he loves at the top level again." ·