Victoria Beckham and David Beckham leave the Mehilinen private clinic on March 17, 2010 in Turku, Finland. David Beckham is now set to return home to rest after emergency surgery on his Achilles tendon after severely injuring himself in AC Milan's 1-0 win over Chievo on Sunday. [Photo:CFP/ BARCROFT MEDIA LTD/Nick Obank]

David Beckham is coming to terms, in positive fashion, with losing out on the chance to appear at a fourth World Cup this summer.

The 34-year-old midfielder tore the tendon in AC Milan's 1-0 win over Chievo during the weekend.

After a successful surgery in Finland, Beckham and his pop star wife Victoria are now back in London to rest for a few days before heading for his home in Los Angeles.

And despite being ruled out for several months with the injury, leading figures in Britain are rallying round the "major sporting icon" to make sure he feels an integral part of the World Cup campaign.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown sent him best wishes.

And for England 2018 bid chiefs Beckham's physical recovery is important, but not as crucial as his continued status as one of their main ambassadors as they bid to host the World Cup in eight years' time.

England 2018 chief executive Andy Anson said: "He's David Beckham - he's going to be a major ambassador for us right through to the end of this."