The health reporter at the Manchester Evening News is backing David Beckham for a swift recovery - after suffering the same injury himself in a climbing accident.

Seb Ramsay was the same age as the England captain when he broke two metatarsals - and was back in action in three weeks.

He said: "I know there is certainly hope."

In an article for the MEN's sports section he told readers: "It has been revealed that the midfielder has broken the second metatarsal in his left foot, which is the one next to the big toe.

"In my case it was the second and third.

"These are the most commonly broken and very seldom require surgery to fix.

"Unlike Beckham, who is in a plaster up to his knee, I wasn't put in a cast or given crutches, but I was advised to rest the foot as thoroughly as possible."

Seb was swimming within a week to maintain his fitness, after ten days was walking without a limp and after three weeks was able to start running again.

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