Gordon Brown has sent David Beckham a message wishing him a "speedy recovery" the Prime Minister's spokesman said on Tuesday.

Beckham ruptured his Achilles tendon while playing for AC Milan on Sunday.

The England midfielder, who underwent surgery in Finland yesterday, is expected to be out of action for five months.

Mr Brown's spokesman said: "The Prime Minister has indeed sent him (Beckham) a message.

"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."

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

Beckham's spokesman said he was expecting to make a full recovery following the successful operation to repair his ruptured left Achilles 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.

"David wants to thank everyone who has given him messages of support - it meant a lot to him."

Asked whether Beckham would be able to play in the World Cup, which starts in South Africa on June 11, Prof 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."