Beckham confident of rapid recovery

England captain David Beckham is confident of being fit for the World Cup finals, according to reports in British Sunday newspapers.

Beckham's father Ted has been widely quoted as saying that the Manchester United midfielder could even be fit to play in the Champions League final on May 15 if United beat Bayer Leverkusen in the semifinals.

Beckham broke the second metatarsal bone in his foot at the beginning of the month and has been told he will need six to eight weeks to make a full recovery.

"Everything is moving in the right direction," Ted Beckham was quoted as saying in The Mail on Sunday.

"There is certainly some optimism from David that he can make the European (Champions League) final if United get through.

"People have suggested that David is a quick healer but he has never had a serious injury before. But steady progress is now being made which is encouraging."

United, who were held to a 2-2 home draw in the semifinal first leg on Wednesday, face Leverkusen in Germany on Tuesday. The World Cup in South Korea and Japan starts on 31 May.