Becks woe is huge blow for England

David Beckham has been ruled out of the World Cup and TEAMtalk's Ian Watson believes the news is a massive blow for England and Fabio Capello.

If David Beckham has taught us anything, it must surely be to never, ever write him off. But finally, a ruptured Achilles tendon three months before the World Cup has presented the England legend with an insurmountable mountain that not even he can contemplate trying to climb.

Make no mistake, Beckham's absence this summer is a major blow for Fabio Capello. Whether as a starter or from the bench, the England coach trusts the AC Milan midfielder as much, if not more than anyone else in his squad. There are few other players who can give Capello what Beckham can.

Too many supporters and pundits seem to buy into the myth that he's nothing more than a 'special team' player, someone you can wheel out to swing in the odd free-kick or corner. Yes, Beckham's delivery from set pieces remains almost unrivalled, but to claim that is all he is good for is lazy and ignorant.

Capello's preference for a larger targetman places huge importance on England's ability to get the ball forward accurately, from deep and from wide. It's an area the Three Lions have struggled with in the past, with Capello often turning to Beckham when that quality has been lacking.

That is because almost nobody else in the England squad has Beckham's eye for a pass, and absolutely no one has the ability to land a ball onto an empty golf tee from 60 yards like he does.

But it's not just his passing England will be deprived of. His composure, tactical nous and crucially, his ability to influence the tempo will be sorely missed, even if it is from the bench in both winning and losing scenarios.

As England have learned to their cost in the past, the key to international football is retaining possession. Beckham rarely gives the ball away, and knows now from experience when to keep it simple, when to slow it down and when to go for the 'worldie'.

When England do give the ball away, no one works harder to get it back. Despite what some will try and tell you, his legs have not gone. He in fact remains one of the fittest players available to Capello, with the sports scientists at Milanello claiming he can play into his 40s.

Without Beckham, the picture on the right of England's midfield looks a lot bleaker. Aaron Lennon is battling for fitness while Theo Walcott and Shaun Wright-Phillips are struggling for form and consistency.

While that trio has the speed Beckham doesn't, that's about all they have got. Raw pace though can often be cancelled out, especially at the highest level of the game so Beckham's absence as at least a plan B is a concern.

None of Lennon, Walcott or Wright-Phillips has a consistent-enough final ball in their locker, though Lennon is starting to show signs that the penny is finally dropping. James Milner already has that capability though, and having already made a lasting impression on Capello, he should be the main beneficiary of Beckham's plight.

Despite his injury, some have already suggested that Beckham may travel to South Africa anyway to provide a guiding hand for the younger members of the squad.

Forget it. Capello won't want the distraction and nor will Beckham be keen to play the role of babysitter or glorified cheerleader.

In any case, one thing the England squad does not collectively lack is experience. If they do lack Beckham's immense desire, that's their problem, and not one that Beckham can help them fix without being out there on the pitch.

Instead, Capello's loss will more than likely be the 2018 bid's gain, with Beckham likely to be asked to help the FA suits in their schmoozing to sell the nation as capable hosts for the tournament in eight years time.

Either that, or Beckham will become the highest paid TV pundit in World Cup history. But the fact that he might be teaming up on a sofa with Alan Hansen or Andy Townsend rather than working in tandem with Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard is not only a crying shame for Beckham and Capello, but also a significant blow to England's hopes of going all the way.