Beckham returning to England

David Beckham will fly to London on Wednesday to begin his recovery from surgery on his Achilles tendon.

The England midfielder has been in Finland since Monday, where he had the operation, and will now stay in London for several days at least before deciding on his plans. Beckham, 34, tore his Achilles tendon on Sunday playing for AC Milan and will be out for several months, missing the World Cup finals in South Africa.

"I want to thank from my heart all the Rossoneri," Beckham said on the club's official website, www.acmilan.com.

"The club, the doctors, my team-mates and the fans.

"I have appreciated so much all the messages I have received after the injury, they are of great help and support.

"I truly thank you, the members of Milan for what they have done for me. I have read the many messages from the fans, I thank them one by one."

AC Milan, who signed Beckham on loan in January from the Los Angeles Galaxy until the end of the season, outlined his recovery programme.

A statement from the club read: "The surgeon Sakari Orava has visited David Beckham and everything is going well. The rehabilitation plan has been established and will start immediately.

"For the first two weeks the footballer must not put pressure on the injured limb, and then he will do so progressively and partially for six weeks before doing specific therapy in the swimming pool.

"The plan foresees a complete recovery in six months, after which he will be able to play again."