DAVID BECKHAM last night underwent a successful operation on a fully ruptured left Achilles tendon and is expected to make a full recovery.
And coach Fabio Capello says he hopes the midfielder can play a part in England’s Euro 2012 qualifying.
Beckham’s chances of appearing in a record fourth World Cup were shattered on Sunday night when he ruptured his Achilles tendon on AC Milan duty against Chievo.
But the 34-year-old’s hopes of resuming his career were boosted by a successful operation in Finland.
"Following a scan, David Beckham’s left Achilles was found to be ruptured," his spokesman said in a statement.
"Professor Sakari Orava performed a successful operation today, repairing the tendon completely.
"David is expected to make a full recovery. Prof. Sakari Orava will conduct a further examination tomorrow, when a programme for rehabilitation will be finalised."
Beckham’s rehabilitation will be boosted by news that while Fabio Capello concedes the player is out of the World Cup, the Italian hopes the midfielder can add to his 115 caps in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
"We hope he will be fit for the next year," the England manager said.
"I hope he will be fit for the Euros, next qualifying. He’s always one of the best players in England."
And Prof. Orava said he believes the footballer can return to full fitness despite his age.
The surgeon said: "Top athletes usually heal well but it’s a few months until you are back at the same level as you were before.
"I don’t think it is a big difference to be 25 or 35, it will be three, four, five months. Most of these patients come back at the same level."
Beckham pulled up during AC Milan’s Serie A encounter with Chievo without coming into contact with anyone else. Distraught, he limped to the sidelines for treatment.
The star midfielder recently joined Milan for a second loan spell from Los Angeles Galaxy in a bid to prove his fitness to Capello. While Beckham must now concentrate on overcoming an injury that could threaten the rest of his career, Capello must make alternative plans.
Although Beckham spoke of his fear of missing the World Cup in the wake of Milan’s defeat by Manchester United last week in his high-profile return to Old Trafford, there was little doubt he would have made Capello’s final 23.
Former Ireland and Manchester United star Denis Irwin, a team-mate of Beckham’s in the 1999 Champions League final, thinks Capello will struggle to replace the veteran wide-man.
"It is a big blow for England," said Irwin. "I have never seen a better crosser of the ball and England will miss him on set pieces.
"He would be the ideal man to come on with 25 minutes to go when you have someone like Peter Crouch up front. He would have been the perfect foil."
Beckham’s former captain at Old Trafford, Roy Keane, dismissed suggestions that the torn achilles which Beckham suffered will end the 34-year-old’s career, however: "It is a bad injury, but Becks is a fit boy and you can see he still loves the game.
"No doubt it’s a big setback, but it happens. Becks has been fortunate throughout his career that he’s never really picked up any bad injuries, so I’m sure he’ll be back and we wish him well.
"It’s disappointing for him if he’s got to miss the World Cup, but on the other side of it Becks has played in three World Cups before, so sometimes you’ve got to count your blessings.
"He’s a top, top player, look at his record, his goals his assists. When I played with him he had a good attitude, he trained well, he had quality on the ball, a good workrate and I found him to be a decent lad.
"There have always been silly headlines in the media about him, but in terms of talking about him as a footballer, he’s a top footballer without a shadow of a doubt."
Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti, who brought Beckham to Milan, is another who believes it is too early to speculate over Beckham’s future in the game.
"I’m so sorry for him because I know how he wanted to go to the World Cup," said Ancelotti.
"He came last year to Milan above all to achieve this, to show his quality for the England team."
"I hope he does a good, quick recovery and will come back to play," Ancelotti said.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, March 16, 2010
