Fabio Capello will invite David Beckham to travel to South Africa as a non-playing member of England’s World Cup squad, according to reports in the Guardian on Tuesday.
Beckham looked a likely squad member until suffering a severe Achilles injury while playing for AC Milan on Sunday.
The 34-year-old had surgery in Finland on Monday, but is likely to be out for a minimum of four months.
But Capello is understood to respect Beckham’s leadership abilities and his inspirational presence around the squad, while he could also help lobby for England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
“We aren’t ready to speculate when he would be ready to do things (for the bid) since our first thoughts are that he recovers,” said the Football Association’s chairman, Lord Triesman.
“He is a huge asset to the bid; there is no question about that.
He is very charismatic and an extremely decent person who will do all and anything to help his country.” It is unclear whether Beckham would accept the role, or whether LA Galaxy, his club, would be prepared to allow him to rehabilitate in South Africa rather than Los Angeles.
Beckham has let it be known through his agent that he believes he will be able to complete the final two years of his contract in U.S.
Capello also indicated that he did not see the injury as ending Beckham’s international career.
“I hope he’ll be fit for the Euros next autumn because he’s always one of our best players,” he said.
