Soccer: FA hopeful about Beckham’s World Cup chances

David Beckham’s chances of playing in the World Cup are looking brighter after the Football Association consulted Manchester United about the England captain’s injury.

FA chief executive Adam Crozier had talks with the Old Trafford club after they announced the 26-year-old midfielder had broken the second metatarsal bone in his left foot during last night’s Champions League defeat of Deportivo La Coruna.

Beckham’s foot is in plaster and he has already started receiving intensive treatment.

‘‘I have spoken to Manchester United this morning and clearly the first 48 hours are always crucial. Already people have revised things to about six weeks,’’ said Crozier.

‘‘I understand that David will be going to Carrington (United’s training ground) at some point today.

‘‘It sounds a little bit more hopeful this morning and hopefully things will improve. We have plenty of time to take stock of the situation.’’

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was expected to name his 23-man squad for the finals in Japan and South Korea during early May, with the FIFA deadline for all squads set for May 21.

‘‘It’s a matter for the England coach to decide his strategy but clearly he will hope that he doesn’t have to take a risk on any player’s fitness,’’ Crozier added.

If Beckham recovers in six weeks he would have a little time to regain match fitness before England’s World Cup opener against Sweden in Saitama on June 2.

However, if it is eight weeks as United maintain it could be then Beckham would miss the Sweden match and almost certainly the clash with Argentina in Sapporo on June 7.

He might however be ready in time for England’s third Group F game against Nigeria in Osaka on June 12.