England’s injury list

Ahead of Roy Hodgson’s England squad announcement on May 16, we look at the players whose Euro 2016 dream is over and who faces a race against time to prove their fitness.

With just under a month to go before England begin their bid for a maiden European Championship crown, the England coach will be furiously deliberating over who will fill his 23-man squad, and who to have on standby should any of the Three Lions personnel suffer an injury.

Hodgson has insisted that he has most of his picks clear in his mind, and will select a 23-man squad and a few back-ups, rather than naming a larger squad and trimming it down before the final deadline on May 31.

But whose fitness concerns has given Hodgson a major headache ahead of the tournament, and who will definitely not be on the plane? We take a look at all the potential candidates in danger of missing out…

Staying at home

Danny Welbeck

The latest name added to England’s injury list, Arsenal forward Welbeck has been ruled out for nine months with a knee injury he suffered in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Manchester City. 

Scans and tests have revealed Welbeck has suffered serious cartilage damage and could be out until February 2017. Welbeck – a key performer in England’s qualifying campaign – only returned this February from an injury to his other knee which he’d sustained in May 2015.  

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Arsene Wenger confirmed that the injury-plagued Oxlade-Chamberlain has “no chance” of taking his seat on the plane. The 22-year-old has not featured for the Gunners since their Champions League defeat to Barcelona at the Emirates in February, when he suffered a knee injury. His latest setback is a fresh injury, and means that Hodgson’s midfield selection dilemma just got a great deal easier.

Jack Butland

It was heartbreaking for all who …

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