England captain David Beckham (L) tussles with Ben Thatcher (R) of Wales in their World Cup, European Zone, Group Six qualifier at Old Trafford, Manchester, October 9, 2004.[Reuters]

David Beckham could be sidelined up to six weeks after cracking a rib during England's 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Wales in which he scored a goal and drew a suspension for the next game.

The England captain on Monday will return to Real Madrid, his Spanish league club, rather than accompany his national team to Wednesday's qualifier in Azerbaijan.

Beckham was examined by Real Madrid's medical staff in England and it was hoped he could take part in light training, the team said on its Web site Sunday. Real Madrid also was in touch with England's medical staff.

With Beckham injured and suspended for the game, there's no reason for him to travel with the team. He picked up his second yellow card of the qualifying tournament on Saturday, ruling him out of England's next game.

Michael Owen is set to take over the captaincy and Shaun Wright-Phillips most likely will take Beckham's position in midfield.

Returning to Old Trafford where he starred for eight years with Manchester United, Beckham scored England's second goal in the 76th minute with a 25-yard shot into the top corner of the net.

But instead of walking off the field in celebration, he left the game with five minutes left, clutching his ribs. He and Wales defender Ben Thatcher had collided at midfield. After treatment, Beckham carried on, playing in pain and barged into Thatcher, drawing the yellow card. His previous yellow card came against Austria a month ago.

Thatcher said he did not intend to hurt Beckham and didn't think the England captain's challenge on him was malicious.

"I don't think he was out to get me, he's not that sort of person," the Manchester City defender said. "As for my clash with Becks, we were both going for a pass, both 50-50. It was as simple as that. There was no harm meant, certainly not from me. I was just going for the ball and we collided."

Thatcher said there appeared to be no hard feelings.

"I went up to him and shook his hand as he went off when he was substituted," he said. "I just said to him that I didn't think the first challenge was a foul and he accepted that."

(Agencies)

rib: one of a series of long, curved bones occurring in 12 pairs in human beings and extending from the spine to or toward the sternum（肋骨）

captaincy: （队长的位置）

barge into: （闯入, 与...相撞）