The England midfielder was operated on in Finland yesterday by surgeon Sakari Orava after picking up an injury playing for AC Milan at the weekend which will rule him out of the World Cup.

"I'm feeling positive and now concentrating on getting back to full fitness over the coming months," Beckham said on his website, www.davidbeckham.com.

"The operation was a success and I'd like to thank Dr Orava and all the medical staff who looked after me during my time in Finland.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their messages of support, they mean a lot to me."

Beckham, who will be 35 in May, is expected to be out of action for five months.

The footballer's wife, pop star-turned-fashion designer Victoria, headed to Finland today to support him.

Beckham's spokesman said he was expecting to make a full recovery following the successful operation to repair his tendon but the player's surgeon said he could be out the game for five months.

The spokesman said last night: "David is expected to make a full recovery. Professor Sakari Orava will conduct a further examination... when a programme for rehabilitation will be finalised."

Asked whether Beckham would be able to play in the World Cup, which starts in South Africa on June 11, Orava said: "No, I don't think so... healing takes a long time.

"It is difficult to say how long the recovery period will be but I would guess it will be three or four months and, for example, for running it usually takes four or five months until one can do it properly."

There had been speculation the injury could end Beckham's career, but England manager Fabio Capello last night suggested he could add to his 115 caps in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

Beckham had been playing in Italy with Milan on loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy largely to maximise his chances of playing in South Africa this summer.

The former England captain today received a message of support from Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister's spokesman confirmed.

"The Prime Minister has indeed sent him (Beckham) a message," the spokesman said.

"He emphasised what a tremendous ambassador Mr Beckham is for English soccer and wishes him well in his recovery, as I think the whole nation does."