David Beckham is concerned that he will not be fit in time to play for Milan in the Italian league.

Beckham secured a loan move to Milan in December so that he can be in contention to play for England in the World Cup finals in South Africa.

But last Sunday, the England midfielder had to take injections to play in LA Galaxy's MLS Cup final against Real Salt Lake which his team lost in a penalty shoot-out.

"I've had this problem with bone bruising for a few weeks now and the only cure is to get as much rest as possible," Beckham was quoted in The Sun as saying.

"I've got just over a month before I join Milan on loan for the start of training after their mid-winter break and I just hope I will be all right by then.

"We'll have to wait and see how the injury mends itself."

He added: "I had three injections in my ankle before the game [MLS Cup final] but the effects wore off after about 50 minutes and it got worse and worse as the game went on.

"Playing on the plastic pitch probably didn't help and nor did playing for 120 minutes for the second week in a row.

"But I'm going to Milan to play a part in their team and, hopefully, be involved enough to get to the World Cup with England."