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Beckham Prepares for Surgery: Doctor

TURKU (FINLAND) — David Beckham arrived in the Finnish city of Turku on Monday afternoon to undergo surgery on a ruptured Achilles tendon that looks set to rule him out of the World Cup.

“Surgery is just about to start. He is being prepared for surgery,” orthopedic surgeon Sakari Orava said by telephone. He said it looked like the 34-year-old midfielder suffered from a torn Achilles tendon, but could not evaluate the extent of the damage at this point.

“I can’t say how bad it is until it’s been opened up,” Orava said.

Beckham landed at an airport in the western city of Turku in a private plane and was walking on crutches when he arrived at the sports injury clinic of Mehilaeinen hospital, a photographer witnessed.

Earlier, England manager Fabio Capello confirmed on Monday that David Beckham is expected to miss the World Cup after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon.

The 34-year-old former England captain was hurt in AC Milan’s 1-0 Serie A win over Chievo at the San Siro on Sunday night. Capello said he had spoken to the midfielder and it was now likely he would miss the showpiece event in South Africa this summer.

“We have to wait for the results of the scan, but it looks like he is out of the World Cup,” said Capello.

“I spoke with him after the game on Sunday night to offer my support.

“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.” But Beckham, who was set to fly to Finland for treatment by a specialist on Monday, said he hoped to make a “swift and full recovery”.

He explained: “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.”

Beckham pulled up in pain during Milan’s Serie A game without coming into contact with anyone else and limped distraught to the sidelines for treatment. The multi-millionaire will be operated on at the sports injury clinic of Mehilaeinen hospital in Turku, Finland, orthopedic surgeon Sakari Orava said.

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said that the player will be out for “probably five or six months”, which would rule Beckham out of a World Cup that gets underway in South Africa on June 11.

“I saw him and he was suffering,” Galliani added. “In the dressing room, I took him in my arms and told him that if he wanted, he will be with us next year.” Beckham, desperate to feature in Capello’s England squad for South Africa and play in a fourth World Cup finals, twisted his left ankle during the final minutes of Sunday’s match.

“This injury has been a heavy blow for him and for us. Unfortunately the party is ruined,” said Milan coach Leonardo after the win which helped close the gap on league leaders Inter.

Beckham had admitted earlier Sunday he was far from certain to win a place in England’s squad for the World Cup finals. — Agencies

David Beckham
Personal information

õ Full name
David Robert Joseph Beckham

õ Date of birt
 2 May 1975 (age 34)

õ Place of birth
Leytonstone, London, England

õ Height 6ft 0 in (1.83 m)

õ Playing position
Midfielder

Club information

Current club Milan

(on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy)

Youth career

Brimsdown Rovers

1987–1991 Tottenham Hotspur

1991–1993 Manchester United

Senior career
Years Team Apps (Gls)

1993–2003 Manchester United
265 (62)

1995 Preston North End (loan
5 (2)

2003–2007 Real Madrid 116 (13)

2007 Los Angeles Galaxy 41 (7)

2009 Milan (loan) 18 (2)

2010 Milan (loan) 10 (0)

National team

1994–1996 England U-21 9 (0)

1996 England 115 (17)