Arsenal legend Martin Keown fears David Beckham's career is in doubt.
Beckham ruptured his Achilles tendon in action for AC Milan yesterday.
The 34-year-old midfielder was injured in AC Milan's 1-0 win over Chievo and faces months on the sidelines, ending his hopes of appearing in a fourth World Cup finals.
Keown said: "There's no doubt he's going to be out for six months. He needs now to look at rescuing his career."
Keown believes Beckham's experience and crossing ability would have earned him a place in England's 23-man squad for South Africa.
"Capello knew there was a role for Beckham in the squad and this is a massive blow," Keown added on BBC Radio Five Live. "David Beckham is probably the best player technically that I played with in an England shirt.
"You need those types of players."
Keown lamented the latest injury to an England player following Ashley Cole's fractured ankle.
"We can't really afford to keep losing top-quality players in the manner that we are," he added.
Beckham was playing for Milan on loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy, and Keown also questioned whether Beckham's globetrotting lifestyle had contributed to the injury.
"He's hardly had a break for two years and you wonder, all this flying to and fro the other side of the world, how much that has affected his Achilles tendon?" asked Keown.
