Man Utd legend Cole: You cannot write-off Beckham. He will return

Manchester United legend Andy Cole doesn't expect former teammate David Beckham to hang up the boots.

Cole believes Beckham will not call time on his career after rupturing his Achilles tendon on Sunday night in action for AC Milan.

"He'll come back from the injury, I don't think he'll want to retire on this note," Cole told BBC Radio Five Live. "He'll work his socks off to try to get himself fit.

"It's devastating news for David, his heart was set on going to a fourth World Cup. He will be heartbroken.

"It's not a nice injury, there's a lot of pain and it's a long way back."

Beckham had looked certain to be part of Capello's 23-man squad for this summer's finals in South Africa, despite being largely limited to substitute appearances.

"Every time he's come on for England, everyone knows his quality," Cole added. "He came on for 20 minutes at Old Trafford last week and he was fantastic.

"If he had gone to the World Cup, I think he will be missed, even if as an impact player."