England captain David Beckham has revealed he deliberately went out of his way to get booked against Wales on Saturday because he knew he would be sidelined by injury for England’s next World Cup qualifying match.
Two reckless clashes with Wales full-back Ben Thatcher earned Beckham his second yellow card of the World Cup qualifying campaign which meant he was suspended for England’s match in Azerbaijan on Wednesday.
”It was deliberate,” Beckham told The Daily Telegraph.
”I am sure some people think that I have not got the brains to be that clever, but I do have the brains.
”I could feel the injury. So I fouled Thatcher. It was deliberate. I knew straight away I had broken my ribs. I have done it before. I knew I will be out for a few weeks, so I thought: ‘Let’s get the yellow card out of the way.”’
Beckham confirmed his hairline rib fracture will keep him out of action for over a month and the Real Madrid midfielder does not expect to figure in England’s friendly against Spain on November 17.
”It’s a frustrating injury because there is no treatment. I can’t go running or training because it hurts too much.
”The last time I broke my ribs [at Manchester United], Alex Ferguson put me on a bike after two weeks and I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t breathe. There is nothing you can do apart from rest.
”I have been to see the doctor, basically to find out whether I can fly because the rib is resting on my spleen. I will fly to Madrid and see the Real doctor immediately. I heard Madrid want me training by Wednesday but that is not possible.
”If you come back too soon, you can damage it again. I am in constant pain. I have been on painkillers.
”I will be out for four to five weeks. I just want to get back playing, to get Real back up the table. I would love to play in England’s friendly against Spain but I will struggle to make it.” – Sapa-AFP