Fabio Capello has left the door open for David Beckham to resume his England career once he has recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Beckham had surgery in Finland on Monday on the major injury he suffered during AC Milan's victory over Chievo.
The 34-year-old will be out for a minimum of six months, ruling him out of the World Cup and raising doubts over his entire career.
However, Capello is not willing to abandon Beckham so quickly.
And he is not ruling out the prospect of Beckham appearing in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign and adding to his current tally of 115 caps.
"We hope he will be fit for next year," the England manager told Sky Sports News.
"I hope he will be fit for the Euros because he is one of the best players in England."
As Capello failed to reach an agreement with his fellow coaches about the Group G fixture list for Euro 2012, a random draw will take place in Tel Aviv next week.
Although it is unlikely, the possibility exists that England will not begin their qualifying campaign until March 2011, by which time Beckham should be able to play again.
That was the positive message coming out of the former England skipper's camp last night, even if others are not so sure.
Speaking at a major Manchester United sponsorship tie-up with Turkish Airlines, Sir Bobby Charlton, who watched Beckham emerge from United's youth system, hopes it is not the end.
"I don't know if we will see him in an England shirt again. I hope so," said the 1966 World Cup winner.
"I have known him for a long time and he gets a lot of pleasure out of playing the game.
"Forget about all the finance and the hyperbole that goes with it, he just loves playing football."
Charlton was fortunate to avoid serious injury throughout his own illustrious career.
That does not mean he is oblivious to the anguish Beckham must now be feeling at what appeared an innocuous incident that had such major consequences.
"If it had happened to me I would have been distraught," reflected Charlton.
"I was lucky with injuries. He has got one of the worst kind.
"It will take such a long time to get right and you don't have much time when you are 34."
