England Coach Roy Hodgson says he plans to give Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain every opportunity to prove his fitness.
The Arsenal youngster suffered a knee injury during the Three Lions’ draw with Ecuador on Wednesday and it has been reported he could be out of action for up to three weeks.
However, FIFA World Cup rules stipulate that players can be replaced in any given team’s 23-man squad up until the day before their first match [June 13 for England, they play Italy on June 14].
England Coach Roy Hodgson says he plans to give Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain every opportunity to prove his fitness.
The Arsenal youngster suffered a knee injury during the Three Lions’ draw with Ecuador on Wednesday and it has been reported he could be out of action for up to three weeks.
However, FIFA World Cup rules stipulate that players can be replaced in any given team’s 23-man squad up until the day before their first match [June 13 for England, they play Italy on June 14].
As such, Hodgson is planning to use the full allocation of time available before making a final call on whether the winger will be able to play some part in England’s campaign.
“We won’t make a decision before we get to Brazil,” Hodgson told a Press conference in Miami today. “It will be at the very last moment, which is 24 hours before we play our first game.
"He's been working with the physios the last couple of days and let's hope it's not that serious.
"There will not even be a question of him leaving us. His mood is good, and our mood regarding his injury is good."