Sunday's news on the England national team front could have been worse. At least, it wasn't Wayne Rooney. The loss of David Beckham with a torn Achilles' tendon is a disappointment, but not a disaster because he wasn't expected to be a starter at the World Cup.

Coach Fabio Capello needs Ashley Cole and Rio Ferdinand to be at 100 percent more than he needs Beckham in his 23-player squad for South Africa. And that's even if Tottenham's Aaron Lennon, Capello's first-choice right winger, has been out with a groin injury since December. Other options include Arsenal's Theo Walcott and versatile Aston Villa winger James Milner. Long shots: Manchester City's Adam Johnson and Villa's Ashley Young.

The injury is a bigger blow for Beckham, whose international career is now probably over after 115 caps. He last played for England in the win over Belarus in October. He remained with the Galaxy for the MLS playoffs in November when England faced Brazil and he didn't play in the friendly against Egypt on March 3.