Beckham relief for Man Utd
Keane is likely to miss the semi-final if United make it
David Beckham could return from injury in time for Manchester United's Champions League quarter-final, second leg clash with Deportivo La Coruna next week.
The England captain was stretchered off in agony at the end of United 2-0 win in Spain on Tuesday night after a horror tackle by Deportivo's Diego Tristan.
He was in flip-flops and his left ankle was bandaged as he travelled back with the rest of the squad on Wednesday.
A scan should confirm the extent of the problem, but United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Beckham may only be suffering from bad bruising.
Beckham's injury initially looked serious
"We will know more later, but he could be back for next week," Ferguson added.
The news that Beckham could return for the second leg at Old Trafford will be a huge relief for Ferguson, who is already without captain Roy Keane and Paul Scholes.
Juan Veron is also an injury doubt.
Keane is out for a month after suffering a hamstring injury which also casts a shadow over his World Cup hopes with the Republic of Ireland.
Roy (Keane) has a hamstring injury and they tend to take four to six weeks
Sir Alex Ferguson
Keane appeared to pull up just before going into a challenge with Sergio during the quarter-final first leg and he immediately signalled to the bench.
The Republic of Ireland captain was replaced by Quinton Fortune just before half-time.
Ferguson said: "Roy has a hamstring injury and they tend to take four to six weeks."
Final heartache
Ferguson added that he had feared it could have been a more serious injury, which would have kept Keane out for longer.
Keane's injury is likely to rule him out of a possible Champions League semi-final and Premiership matches away to Leicester, Chelsea and Ipswich.
The second leg of the Champions League semi-final will be on 30 April, while United will play Arsenal in the Premiership on either 5 or 8 May.
The Irishman will be hoping to be fit in time for the final of the Champions League should United overcome Deportivo in the second leg and then win their semi-final.
Keane was banned for the Champions League final in 1999 when United beat Bayern Munich to take home the trophy - and he will be anxious to avoid that heartache again.
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Seems he will be back in a week or two.. Although the prospect of a Man U - Liverpool semi final in Europe with no Beckham would be good news to me (of course assuming both of them make it past Depor and Bayer respectively).. I would never want to see a player get injured.. and especially on a WC season..
Actually, without Beckham's skills and leadership.. I wouldn't bet on England at all this summer.. but I'm being optimistic.. hope he gets back in a game or two..
