Fabio Capello has offered his support to David Beckham and confirmed that the England camp do not expect the midfielder to play at the World Cup finals due to a torn Achilles tendon.
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Beckham, 34, saw his hopes of playing in a fourth World Cup finals evaporate late on Sunday night as he was stretchered off during AC Milan's 1-0 victory over Chievo Verona.
Beckham was reported to be in tears in the Milan dressing room and manager Leondardo and a number of team-mates have expressed their concern for the player, whose international career could have come to an abrupt end.
While Capello is formally awaiting the results of scans before making a cast-iron decision on Beckham's availability, the England coach does not expect the midfielder to be a member of the 23-man squad that travels to South Africa.
"We have to wait for the results of the scan, but it looks like he is out of the World Cup," said the England coach. "I spoke with him after the game on Sunday night to offer my support, as did Franco Baldini.
"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. I am very sad for David that he has suffered this injury."
Beckham told his official website: "I am on my way to Finland to see a specialist and have a scan on the injury. I am upset but want to thank everyone for their messages of support. I hope to make a swift and full recovery."
The surgeon due to operate on Beckham on Monday, Dr Sakari Orava, says the injury will prevent the LA Galaxy midfielder, who is on loan at Milan, from playing for up to four months.
"To start kicking and playing football about three months," Dr Orava said. "For maximal performances and maximum kicks and jumps, maybe it takes one month more, three-to-four months before one is able to do light playing.
"It's a total tear of the Achilles tendon. If there is any weakness then... a graft can be taken from the calf and put over the injury site to make it stronger. This kind of procedure is planned."
While England's medical team will await the results of scans and Monday's planned operation, Milan are in no doubt that the serious injury will prevent Beckham from appearing in South Africa.
"Dr Orava is the foremost specialist in the world for this kind of injury, we want to get David to see him as quickly as possible," Jean Pierre Meersseman, Milan's club doctor, said. "But as far as the World Cup is concerned, he's definitely out."
Beckham rejoined Milan on a second loan spell in January and is a popular figure at San Siro. Rossoneri chief executive Adriano Galliani expects Beckham to be absent for "five to six months" but has already told the midfielder he will be welcomed back for a third spell in Serie A.
"I gave him a big hug and told him that he is a part of our family and that, if he wants to come back to Milan next year, there will be a place for him here," Galliani said in the Times. "It's horrible, for two consecutive years he has come to play for us for one reason only, to stay fit for the World Cup and to further his England career. And now something like this happens. Football can be so cruel."
