World Cup

Roy Hodgson: 'Oxlade-Chamberlain replacement unlikely'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 10 June 2014

England manager Roy Hodgson reveals that it is "very unlikely" that he will replace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the squad before Friday's deadline.

England manager Roy Hodgson has revealed that it is "very unlikely" that he will replace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in his squad for the World Cup.

Oxlade-Chamberlain's hopes of participating in the tournament took a blow last week when he picked up a knee injury in the 2-2 draw against Ecuador.

Defensive duo Jon Flanagan and John Stones are currently on standby in case the Arsenal winger does not recover in time, but Hodgson admitted that he isn't expecting to make any further changes to his 23-man squad before Friday's deadline.

"It looks very unlikely that we'll replace him. I don't think that will be the case," Hodgson told reporters.

"He has got a strained medial ligament, but he is certainly working very hard and I don't think he could be further forward in terms of his progression than he is now. He's well up there."

Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to miss England's first two games against Italy and Uruguay but could be fit in time for their final group game against Costa Rica on June 24.