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Three Lions manager Roy Hodgson is hopeful that Arsenal wonderkid Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain can recover from the knee ligament injury he sustained in England’s friendly against Ecuador in time for World Cup knock out stage.
According to Goal, Hodgson went on to say that Oxlade-Chamberlain will continue to travel with the squad regardless of whether he’s ruled out of action for the entire group stage.
The young Gunner damaged his medial knee ligaments after colliding with Ecuador’s Carlos Gruezo during England’s warm-up game in Miami on Wednesday evening. The Football Association has since released a statement confirming they are “continuing to monitor and treat the injury.”
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Speaking to a fan forum in Miami, Hodgson insisted that the England medical team were optimistic of a speedy return.
“We will do everything in our power to keep him. Our medical team are optimistic and he is optimistic.
“We can’t say how long for certain it will take him to recover but obviously he will get very extensive treatment.
“We will do everything we can to keep him with us because we would we like to think we might go beyond the group stage although we can’t guarantee it, we are certainly planning for it.”
The England manager then lauded the former Southampton winger’s performance against Ecuador, claiming he was “undoubtedly” the best player on the pitch.
“He played so well yesterday [against Ecuador],” he added. “He was undoubtedly our best player in the time he played, and it would be a major blow if we lose him.
“He was back really to his best so all I can do now I suppose is cross my fingers and touch every piece of wood I pass by that it is not serious.”
The Three Lions face Italy in their opening fixture on June 14 before games against Uruguay and Costa Rica on June 19 and 24 respectively.
If Oxlade-Chamberlain is sidelined for the full three weeks, in what would prove to be a worst case scenario, he will return to full fitness on June 26.
