Prognosis bleak for injured Beckham

The 34-year-old suffered the injury in AC Milan's 1-0 win over Chievo on Sunday and is scheduled to arrive in Finland at around 11 a.m. British time on Monday for surgery.

"To start kicking and playing football (will take) about three months. For maximal performances and maximum kicks and jumps, maybe it takes one month more, 3-4 months before one is able to do light playing," Dr. Sakari Orava told Reuters on Monday.

"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."

The World Cup begins in less than three months on June 11.

Beckham, England's most capped outfield player with 115 appearances, had been bidding to play in a fourth World Cup.

England coach Fabio Capello said Beckham's likely absence was a "big blow."

"I am very sad for David that he has suffered this injury," Capello said in a statement on the FA website.

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

"I spoke with him after the game on Sunday night to offer my support, as did (assistant) Franco Baldini.