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David Beckham is coming to terms, in positive fashion, with losing out on the chance to extend his international career at a fourth World Cup this summer.

And despite being ruled out for several months with an Achilles tendon injury, leading figures in Britain are rallying round the "major sporting icon" to make sure he feels an integral part of the campaign, and beyond.

Lauded in recent days by Britain's poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy and sent best wishes by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, 34-year-old Beckham was reminded of his importance to the England set-up again on Wednesday.

For England 2018 bid chiefs Beckham's physical recovery is important, but not as crucial as his continued status as one of their main ambassadors as they bid to win the right to stage the World Cup in eight years' time.

England 2018 chief executive Andy Anson said: "We have sent David a message wishing him well and hoping he recovers. We want him to recover to be playing again - that's the only thing we are worried about.

"He's David Beckham - he's going to be a major ambassador for us right through to the end of this.

"We have our big moments in the campaign and obviously the final presentation (in December) is one thing where we would want our major ambassadors involved.

"That's a good example of where we would see David's involvement. He's just a major, major sporting icon."

After undergoing surgery in Finland on Monday which he called a "success", Beckham and his pop star wife Victoria arrived in London later Wednesday for a perios of rest before heading for his home in the USA.

"He's in London for the next few days, then he will travel to Los Angeles to continue his recuperation," the player's spokesman Simon Oliveira told AFP.

Although contracted to Los Angeles Galaxy Beckham is in his second loan spell at AC Milan -- a move designed, somewhat ironically, to boost his chances of a World Cup place.

AC Milan believe Beckham, whose rehabilitation programme has been already mapped out, will make "a complete recovery" in six months.

A statement from AC Milan Wednesday said Beckham has been advised to be as careful as possible with his ankle for the first few weeks.

"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," a club statement read.

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

Already upbeat and getting used to walking with crutches, Beckham has been quick to thank everyone for the messages of support he has received after the injury suffered on Sunday evening.

"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."

As far as the World Cup goes, the jury is still out on whether Beckham's absence will leave England lacking.

In all three of his previous World Cup appearances Beckham failed to help deliver the title, which England won for the only time in 1966.

AFP