United doctors to examine Beckham wrist

England captain David Beckham was returning to Britain today for treatment to a fractured wrist he suffered during his side’s friendly match against South Africa.

The 28-year-old was clearly in pain after he tumbled early in the second half of yesterday’s game in Durban and he was soon taken off the pitch.

He was taken by ambulance to hospital for X-rays, where it was confirmed he fractured his right scaphoid bone, which is located on the thumb side of his wrist, close to the lower arm bone.

Beckham and the rest of team left South Africa last night on a plane bound for the England training camp in La Manga, Spain.

The captain was then boarding a flight to England, Football Association spokesman Adrian Bevington said.

He was expected in Manchester, where he will be assessed further by the Manchester United medical team.

Manager Sven Goran Eriksson said: “It is bad luck for him in what was his last game of the season, but David will still travel back with us.

“Our doctor and the Manchester United doctor are going to speak to each other and see how long it will be before he is fit again.

“In fact, I am sure they have already spoken to each other.”

The England manager continued: “I am sorry for him. I hope he will recover as quickly as possible and can have a normal life over the summer.”

Beckham is not due to play for the England side again this summer as he is suspended for the Euro 2004 clash with Slovakia.

He has more than two months to recover before the start of next season.

Last night was not the first time the high profile player has broken a bone while playing.

In April 2002, he broke the metatarsal bone in his left foot during a Champions League game between Manchester United and Deportivo La Coruna.

It was feared the break would ruin his chances of playing in the World Cup, but he recovered in time to go to Japan and help England reach the quarter finals.