By James Pearce
Reds hopeful over Sturridge - but Johnson faces months out
9 Sep 2013 07:16
In-form striker hopes to return at Swansea but right-back could face 10 weeks out
Liverpool FC are hopeful Daniel Sturridge will be passed fit for next week’s trip to Swansea City – but fears are growing over Glen Johnson ’s injury.
In-form Sturridge has been ruled out of England’s crucial World Cup qualifier with Ukraine tomorrow night as he recovers from a thigh strain picked up last week.
The 24-year-old – who has scored the match-winning goals in each of Liverpool’s three opening Premier League games – had been labelled as ‘touch and go’ for the clash in Kiev.
But after consulting the Reds’ medical staff at Melwood, England were forced to admit defeat in having the forward available for tomorrow’s Group H fixture.
Sturridge returned to Melwood on Tuesday after missing training with England and will remain with Liverpool for rehab having not travelled with the Three Lions.
England were desperately hoping the former Chelsea man would recover from the injury he aggravated in the 1-0 win over Manchester United eight days ago.
Danny Welbeck’s first-half yellow card means he is suspended for the Ukraine game and with Wayne Rooney also sidelined, manager Roy Hodgson’s options are limited.
Kirkby-born Rickie Lambert is expected to lead the line in the Olympic Stadium tomorrow night.
A Football Association statement read: “The FA can confirm that Daniel Sturridge will not return to the England squad ahead of the World Cup qualifier with Ukraine on Tuesday.
“Club England medical staff have been in constant contact with their counterparts at Liverpool Football Club since he returned there on Thursday, his injury has not progressed as had been hoped and it is now clear that Sturridge will not be fit for the match in Kiev on Tuesday evening.
“No additions will be made to Roy Hodgson’s squad of 23 players who travel to Ukraine on Sunday evening.”
Sturridge is hopeful of being ready to return to action for Liverpool’s game with Swansea a week today.
However, the news on right-back Johnson remains less positive.
Liverpool's Glen Johnson in action against Celtic at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, IrelandPhoto by James Maloney Liverpool's Glen Johnson in action against Celtic at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland
The England defender limped off against Manchester United after suffering a high ankle sprain in the 1-0 win.
Liverpool were last week reluctant to put a timescale on his recovery but it is now believed Johnson could be ruled out for up to 10 weeks.
Should Johnson be sidelined for such a length of time then he will miss several games, including the Capital One Cup trip to Manchester United.
The extent of Johnson’s injury also means he is now a major doubt for the remainder of England’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
Reds hopeful over Sturridge - but Johnson faces months out
9 Sep 2013 07:16
In-form striker hopes to return at Swansea but right-back could face 10 weeks out
Liverpool FC are hopeful Daniel Sturridge will be passed fit for next week’s trip to Swansea City – but fears are growing over Glen Johnson ’s injury.
In-form Sturridge has been ruled out of England’s crucial World Cup qualifier with Ukraine tomorrow night as he recovers from a thigh strain picked up last week.
The 24-year-old – who has scored the match-winning goals in each of Liverpool’s three opening Premier League games – had been labelled as ‘touch and go’ for the clash in Kiev.
But after consulting the Reds’ medical staff at Melwood, England were forced to admit defeat in having the forward available for tomorrow’s Group H fixture.
Sturridge returned to Melwood on Tuesday after missing training with England and will remain with Liverpool for rehab having not travelled with the Three Lions.
England were desperately hoping the former Chelsea man would recover from the injury he aggravated in the 1-0 win over Manchester United eight days ago.
Danny Welbeck’s first-half yellow card means he is suspended for the Ukraine game and with Wayne Rooney also sidelined, manager Roy Hodgson’s options are limited.
Kirkby-born Rickie Lambert is expected to lead the line in the Olympic Stadium tomorrow night.
A Football Association statement read: “The FA can confirm that Daniel Sturridge will not return to the England squad ahead of the World Cup qualifier with Ukraine on Tuesday.
“Club England medical staff have been in constant contact with their counterparts at Liverpool Football Club since he returned there on Thursday, his injury has not progressed as had been hoped and it is now clear that Sturridge will not be fit for the match in Kiev on Tuesday evening.
“No additions will be made to Roy Hodgson’s squad of 23 players who travel to Ukraine on Sunday evening.”
Sturridge is hopeful of being ready to return to action for Liverpool’s game with Swansea a week today.
However, the news on right-back Johnson remains less positive.
Liverpool's Glen Johnson in action against Celtic at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, IrelandPhoto by James Maloney Liverpool's Glen Johnson in action against Celtic at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland
The England defender limped off against Manchester United after suffering a high ankle sprain in the 1-0 win.
Liverpool were last week reluctant to put a timescale on his recovery but it is now believed Johnson could be ruled out for up to 10 weeks.
Should Johnson be sidelined for such a length of time then he will miss several games, including the Capital One Cup trip to Manchester United.
The extent of Johnson’s injury also means he is now a major doubt for the remainder of England’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
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