Giggs offers Beckham hope

Giggs can offer Beckham comfort over injury

Ryan Giggs has offered hope to Manchester United team-mate David Beckham as he aims to recover from a broken foot in time for England's World Cup campaign.

Giggs suffered a similar problem to that which is threatening to wreck Beckham's dream of leading England in Korea and Japan.

People heal quicker than others and it just depends how quickly the bone heals

Ryan Giggs

The Wales international was back in action 36 days after suffering the injury against Derby County in October 1998.

If Beckham follows a similar schedule, he could even have an outside chance of playing in the Champions League Final on 15 May if United get there.

Beckham broke the second metatarsal bone in his foot in the Champions League quarter-final match against Deportivo on Wednesday.

Beckham's left foot will be in plaster for three weeks and he could be back in action three weeks after that.

Giggs made his comeback against Leeds 36 days after suffering the injury.

He was actually fit for United's match against Barcelona in the Nou Camp four days earlier, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson decided not to risk him.

Beckham's World Cup dream could still be alive if he emulates Giggs, and he might be in contention England's first match against Sweden on 2 June.

But Giggs feels it is too early to say when Beckham could be back.

"It depends on individuals. People heal quicker than others and it just depends how quickly the bone heals," said Giggs.

"He's in plaster at the moment and until he's out of plaster, you never know how long it will take for his foot to get better."