England Going to Miss The David Beckham's Presence in 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa

The England squad is going to miss David Beckham, out at least six months due to surgery on his torn Achilles' tendon. They'll miss his deadly crosses and bending free kicks, but only in marginal sense, as he was not pegged to be a starter. His absence will be felt more on the spiritual end.

For all of his wealth, celebrity lifestyle and flair, Beckham is one of the most dedicated athletes in the sport, a team player of great pride and humility. This would have been his fourth World Cup, and he played 115 games for England (17 goals) over a brilliant career. Coach Fabio Capello was counting on the 34-year-old veteran to soothe the tensions surrounding John Terry, whose well-publicized philandering not only cost Terry a friendship with teammate Wayne Bridge, but forced Bridge's bitter withdrawal from the team.

Character, to say the least, is not England's strong suit just now. The London press has detailed countless indiscretions tainting the team's reputation, and Beckham has always relished the leadership role. He has no logical successors on that front.

-- So who replaces Beckham on the field? The team has plenty of depth among right-wing midfielders, although top candidate Aaron Lennon (Tottenham) has been out two months with a groin injury. The other choices would appear to be Theo Walcott (Arsenal) and Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), and while none of the three has Beckham's experience or free-kick genius, all have a distinct edge on a healthy Beckham when it comes to speed and quickness.

-- Bridge was in line to start for England in place of Ashley Cole, who fractured his left ankle against Everton in early February. There are conflicting reports as to whether Cole will be fit to play a World Cup, and no decision can be made until he gets back in the Chelsea lineup.

-- Beckham's absence hardly dampens the team's star power - not if you've been following action in the Premier League. Terry, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Peter Crouch (if he makes the team as a striker) and the spectacular Wayne Rooney are among the most watchable stars in the world.

-- Michael Owen is best remembered for his astonishing goal against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup, and he remains one of the most captivating players abroad. Three months ago, he scored a hat trick for Manchester United in a Champions league game against Wolfsburg, putting him right in the World Cup mix. But Owen recently went down with a serious hamstring injury in a Premier League game against Aston Villa, ruling him out of the tournament.

-- For the first time in his career, Landon Donovan might feel slightly out of place in Major League Soccer. He flew home to rejoin the L.A. Galaxy last weekend after two months of excellence with Everton of the Premier League, a stint so successful that the team's fans expressed great regret over his departure.

Donovan has played in Europe before, without making any kind of impact, but it was different this time. He had electrifying performances in Everton's wins over Chelsea and Manchester United, prompting chants of "U.S.A.!" and "Keep Donovan at Everton!"

As Donovan told the New York Times, "I wasn't ready technically, tactically, mentally or physically" in previous tours of Europe. "I made sure I knew what I was getting into with Everton. I did a lot of preparation in the weeks leading up to it."

Donovan became so engaged in big-time soccer, he requested an extension with Everton until April 15, but Galaxy manager Bruce Arena insisted that he return in time for L.A.'s season opener March 27.

-- Last summer, Beckham and Donovan were feuding over remarks Donovan had made in a book. They patched things up, and if Beckham can recover within six months, he can rejoin the Galaxy in time for their final games of the season.

In truth, both men should have bigger things in mind. The MLS needs to build its reputation on exciting, up-and-coming stars, not the aging Beckham or the value of his jersey in sporting-goods stores. If he has any chance of playing again, he should focus on his European club, AC Milan. As for Donovan, who now knows the thrill of being loved and respected on the highest stage, it's time to find a permanent place in the Premier League.