Ian Wright is certain that David Beckham should still travel with the England team to the 2010 World Cup.

The AC Milan midfielder pulled up in a Serie A match at the weekend against Chievo and will now miss the trip to South Africa which would have been his fourth appearance at a World Cup.

Despite the fact that he will not be fit enough to play for the Three Lions, England manager Fabio Capello has urged Beckham to make the flight and be the leader off the pitch for the team.

In his column for The Sun, former Arsenal and England striker Wright was adamant that Beckham's presence in the camp will be a key motivational factor the the rest of his peers.

Wright said:"If ever there's a footballer who embodies what playing for England is meant to be about, it's you (Beckham).

"There are only a few players in this current England squad who would sacrifice everything to play for their country. Just look at all the time you've spent jumping on flights between North America and Europe to try to prove yourself to Fabio Capello.

"Let's be honest, that's why you were out there playing for AC Milan on Sunday night - still doing everything you can to keep your dream alive.

"You deserved to be in the squad so much. I'd always had this vision of you walking round the pitch after the World Cup final holding up the trophy.

"It could have been your last ever game in an England shirt, and what a way to go. It's what you would have deserved."

Wright went on to speak about the rest of the England team players.

He added:"As for England, our injury situation is now a real worry. Wes Brown and Aaron Lennon are both injured while Rio Ferdinand is only just back.

"At this stage of the season ahead of a World Cup, we need all our top players fit and in good form - which unfortunately is not the case.

"At least Wayne Rooney is in the form of his life. But God forbid that anything should happen to him between now and the end of the season.

"But there is no doubt that over the next few weeks and months, Capello's management skills will be tested to the full."

England are in Group C along with Slovenia, USA and Algeria.