adminLONDON. — England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was expected to have a scan on his knee yesterday amid fears he has suffered a ligament injury.The 20-year-old limped out of England’s 2-2 World Cup warm-up draw with Ecuador following a tackle from Carlos Gruezo.
England open their World Cup campaign against Italy in Manaus on June 14.
Manager Roy Hodgson said: “It would be an enormous blow to lose him. He did ever so well and looked really, really sharp.”
Playing for the first time since April 20 because of a groin injury, Arsenal’s Oxlade-Chamberlain produced an energetic display before being substituted after 63 minutes.
He is now a doubt for England’s final warm-up match against Honduras in Miami tomorrow.
Hodgson said: “His knee buckled under the challenge as the player turned into him. At the moment, he doesn’t know how to feel because he doesn’t know how serious the injury is.” The England boss described the performances of Oxlade-Chamberlain, fellow Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere and Manchester United defender Phil Jones as “outstanding”, while also praising Rickie Lambert’s “magnificent” goal.
He also praised the displays of Wayne Rooney, who played in a wide left role, and Ross Barkley, although he was critical of the Everton midfielder in possession on his first international start.
“There always seems to be an enormous obsession with one player,” said Hodgson. “I will be prepared to start any of the players in any game, but I’m not prepared to address your obsession with Ross Barkley.
“If he’s going to be the player we want him to be, he has to make better decisions when he turns with the ball. That’s not a criticism, but there were other performances out there today.”
Enner Valencia gave Ecuador an early lead but Rooney bundled in his 39th goal for his country before half-time.
Lambert put England ahead just after the interval, but the South Americans levelled through substitute Michael Arroyo’s stunning strike. — BBC Sport.
Online Reporter