David Beckham on Monday underwent a successful operation on a fully ruptured left Achilles tendon and is expected to make a full recovery.

Beckham's chances of appearing in a record fourth World Cup were shattered on Monday night when he ruptured his Achilles tendon on AC Milan duty against Chievo. But the 34-year-old's hopes of resuming his career were boosted by a successful operation in Finland.

"Following a scan, David Beckham's left Achilles was found to be ruptured," his spokesman said in a statement released to Press Association Sport.

"Professor Sakari Orava performed a successful operation on Monday, repairing the tendon completely.

"David is expected to make a full recovery. Professor Sakari Orava will conduct a further examination on Tuesday, when a programme for rehabilitation will be finalised. David wants to thank everyone who has given him messages of support - it meant a lot to him."

Beckham's rehabilitation will be boosted by news Fabio Capello hopes the midfielder can add to his 115 caps in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

"We hope he will be fit for the next year," the England manager told Sky Sports News. "I hope he will be fit for the Euros, next qualifying. He's always one of the best players in England."

Professor Sakari Orava, Beckham's surgeon, anticipates it will be a minimum of six months before the former England captain can play again.

"It was a total tear," Professor Orava told Sky Sports News. It's only a guess, but it's four months to running and a couple more months to kicking and jumping.

"He was quite happy after the operation. (And) I think that he understood from the beginning that it's a serious injury and he's not able to play (at the World Cup)."