SAO PAULO, June 19 — Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looks set to return in England’s final World Cup group game against Costa Rica after recovering quickly from knee ligament damage, manager Roy Hodgson said today.
Hodgson said the highly rated Arsenal midfielder could potentially play tomorrow’s game against Uruguay, but must first rejoin full training.
The 20-year-old, who was injured on June 4, underwent his final individual training session without strapping on his knee at Sao Paulo’s Corinthians Arena on Wednesday.
“He’s not in contention for tomorrow, but he will take part in the next full training session. Today, was his last training session individually,” Hodgson said.
“At the limit, we could have taken a chance with him tomorrow but it would be much better if he uses the four days after this game and before the Costa Rica game to train with the team.
“But fortunately for us his actual injury has responded very well to treatment.
“But I don’t think we would put him into the firing range tomorrow before he’s had some training sessions with the team.” — AFP
