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Thursday, 11 April, 2002, 17:50 GMT 18:50 UK
World Cup hope for injured Beckham
Dwight Yorke drives David Beckham to Old Trafford
Yorke (left) drove Beckham to Old Trafford on Thursday
Manchester United have revealed that David Beckham will be out for at least six weeks with a broken second metatarsal bone in his left foot.

The revised diagnosis means the England captain could still make the latter stages of the World Cup if his recovery goes well.

"This is a real blow for David personally, for Manchester United and for England," admitted England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

A rueful David Beckham in plaster and on crutches after leaving hospital
Beckham displays his plastered leg
"But there is nothing we can do about it.

"I am sure that the medical staff at Manchester United will be doing everything in their power to ensure that David recovers fully and quickly," he added on the FA's official website.

FA chief executive Adam Crozier said he was hopeful Beckham would make the finals in June.

"Clearly the first 48 hours are always crucial, but it sounds a little bit better and hopefully things will improve," he said.

The 26-year-old midfielder will however definitely miss the rest of United's domestic and European campaign.


The Prime Minister pointed out [to the Cabinet] that nothing was more important to England's World Cup arrangements than the state of David Beckham's foot
An official spokesman for Tony Blair

He was injured by a tackle from Deportivo's Pedro Duscher during United's 3-2 victory on Tuesday night.

And according to his father, Beckham is "devastated" by the injury that threatens to wreck his season.

Ted Beckham said: "David called me from hospital to let me know how he was.

"To be honest he was devastated.

"He was very, very upset and he said he was in a lot of pain and that he was in plaster.

"He said he was more upset because of what games were coming up," he told GMTV.

Beckham had to be helped from the pitch
Beckham had to be helped from the pitch

"I really feel sorry for him. It's a terrible thing to have happened. But, fingers crossed, he'll be OK."

Beckham was driven from his flat on Thursday morning by team-mate Dwight Yorke to begin his rehabilitation at Old Trafford.

Wearing a woolly hat, the England star held his hand up to his face and looked away from reporters and photographers. He also had crutches next to him in the car.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had said of his star player after the match: "The Champions League quarter-finals have been an unfortunate round for him, but he's young and there will be other campaigns.


We didn't single Beckham out for special treatment
Deportivo coach
Javier Irureta

"You could see the pain he was in, but he will play in the World Cup again and he will play in the European Cup again."

Ferguson would not condemn Duscher's tackle, instead adding: "The game of football is about tackles and I think the player maybe had to go for it (the ball)."

Deportivo coach Javier Irureta insisted he had not sent his players out to injure Beckham.

"We didn't single Beckham out for special treatment," he said.

"I hope he recovers from it quickly and I feel sorry for what has happened."

 WATCH/LISTEN
 ON THIS STORY
FA chief executive Adam Crozier
"The prognosis is slightly better than on Wednesday"
Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson
"He's young and he'll play in other European Cups"
Man Utd coach Eric Harrison
"He's unbelievably fit and a quick healer"
 BECKHAM INJURY
Has David Beckham's injury dashed England's World Cup hopes?
Yes
No

Will David Beckham recover in time for the World Cup?

A race against time

The injury explained

Impact on England

Impact on Man Utd

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