His almost certain unavailability for South Africa with an Achilles injury is a disappointment, of course, but compared to the reports that neither Ashley Cole nor Aaron Lennon are recovering as quickly as hoped it is nothing.

Had Beckham been included in the World Cup squad, it would have been as something of a luxury player.

After his pedestrian performance in the first leg of AC Milan's Champions League defeat to Manchester United, he could not reasonably have expected to start any game.

He might, though, have been useful as an option late on in matches, in terms of his dead-ball delivery if England, having exhausted other options, desperately needed a goal, or to protect a lead with his precize passing and a tactical brain rather more astute than his many critics give him credit for.

Almost alone among the 30-odd names in contention for those final 23 places, he is somebody who can be relied upon to retain possession.

He would also have been useful almost as a decoy to distract the media while the rest of the squad got on with the serious business, and his affability and patriotism may have helped the less experienced players settle in what must be the daunting environment of a World Cup camp.

In a sense his role would have been ambassadorial - as cynics had it, his inclusion may have been more geared to England winning the right to host 2018 than to winning the trophy in 2010 - which is not to denigrate its importance.

Nonetheless, England manager Fabio Capello is a practical, at time seemingly emotionless man, and if one of his players were to suffer a freak injury, he may reflect that the 34 year old is more expendable than most.

This England midfield, with Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard in the central positions, and Steven Gerrard to the left, is tough, experienced and hard-working, but it is neither particularly quick nor imaginative.

Beckham is neither quick nor especially inventive, so that berth on the right has to go to somebody more dashing.

Theo Walcott is fragile and inconsistent, Shaun Wright-Phillips is a darter who can't cross, and Adam Johnson, for all his promise, is desperately inexperienced.

Which leaves Lennon as somebody quick, sharp and capable of delivering decent crosses at least some of the time.

"It must be frustrating for Aaron," said his club manager Harry Redknapp. "He's desperate to get fit. We just can't get him right.

He's had a few goes and broken down.

""He's been back to the specialist. We're taking our time again, building up his strength in the groin area.

"He works every day with the physios and hopefully he will be working back outside shortly but he's not ready to join the group again. He's quite a way off." If Capello could demand a miracle cure for one of his right-sided midfielders, it would be Lennon, not Beckham.

And even then, he would probably rather have Cole, who is arguably the best left-back in the world and certainly the best in England.

Reports in Sunday's News of the World, swiftly denied by Chelsea, claimed he has not responded to treatment as swiftly as hoped and indicated he was unlikely to be back before the end of the season.

With a lack of obvious cover, his recovery is a must if England are to have any realistic chance of winning the tournament.

Beckham's injury is very sad, for he has been, if not a great player, then certainly a very good one, and has been renowned for his commitment to training throughout his career.

Even his biggest critics would not dispute his professionalism, and that somebody so dedicated should suffer such a blow seems cruel, perhaps even unjust.

But its impact on England's World Cup hopes will be minimal. It is injuries to others that are already in danger of scuppering them.