England manager Roy Hodgson and several Premier League manager’s face a major headache with an injur plagued afternoon.
Wayne Rooney has been deemed unfit to play in the crucial qualifying games against Moldova and Ukraine with a head wound, Rooney missed Manchester United’s 1-0 loss to rivals Liverpool on Sunday afternoon after suffering a head wound during a challenge with Phil Jones in training. The defender caught Rooney with a high boot and David Moyes has said that Rooney has ‘no chance’ of playing for England.
‘It was just a boot, Phil Jones caught him right down the middle of his forehead. It will probably three weeks.’
Ironically it is Jones who is also a major injury doubt for England after he had to leave the field after just 37 minutes at Anfield, he has to be replaces by Antonio Valencia after he landed awkwardly after a headed battle with Liverpool playmaker Phillipe Coutinho.
Sturridge was the match winner at Anfield scoring his thrid goal of the campaign in as many games, after the game the former Chelsea man admitted he had played through the pain barrier to make himself available for the fixture.
‘I had a problem with my thigh before the game, it’s still hindering me now, but I went out and put on a good performance for the boys. Hopefully I’ll be okay for the (England) squad.’
To add to Engalnd’s woes Glen Johnson was replaced with 10 minutes left and left the ground on crutches with a protective boot on. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said after the game ‘He took a bad knock – he turned onto his ankle.’
‘He’s getting treatment at the moment. It’s obviously quite bad for him to come off, but I’ll just need to see after.’
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To top off a bad day, England and Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere was forced off the pitch at the Emirates after apparent stomach cramps.
Roy Hodgson has to select a strong team as England currently sit second in group H behind Montenegro, they host Moldova on Friday September 6th then visit third place Ukraine on Tuesday 10th September.
James Moss – @JMoss_13
