David Beckham, a British AC Milan footballer, is to fly to Finland to undergo Achilles tendon surgery, a number of agencies quoted the Italian football club's doctor as saying on Monday.

Beckham injured his left Achilles tendon during a match on Sunday.

Jean-Pierre Meersseman, the club physician, told Sky TV Italy that Sakari Orava, a Finnish orthopaedic surgeon, was to treat Beckham.

Dr Orava told the Finnish News Agency (STT) that the former England captain would probably not make a full recovery before the world cup in June and July.

He added that the plan was to carry out the procedure in Turku on Monday.

STT