Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain given until last day to prove fitness

England and Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been given up until 24 hours before England’s opening game against Italy to prove his fitness to manager Roy Hodgson and remain in England’s World Cup squad.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was injured during a collision after a tackle in England’s friendly against Ecuador which finished 2-2 after both sides spent periods of the game in the lead. Although the fall seemed fairly innocuous the pain on the wingers face was plain to see and the news that he could play some part in the tournament would have been a relief to many people in the England camp.

The Ox looked set to be the second Arsenal winger to be ruled out through injury after Theo Walcott was ruled out months ago after damaging his cruciate ligament in the game against Tottenham, and it will be a shame for England to miss out on the pace that both players bring to the squad.

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There seem to be no fresh injury concerns for the England team who will have to deal without other young winger Raheem Sterling in tonight’s clash against Honduras due to receiving a red card in the same game. Thankfully no suspension will need to be served during competitive matches.

Hodgson has also hinted that if Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was not fit enough in time then he would not call up a replacement attacking player as he feels they would not replace the skills that he brings, instead he felt that John Stones or Jon Flanagan will simply stay with the squad for extra defensive cover.

Everyone here at Pain in the Arsenal would like to wish Alex a speedy recovery as he looks to play in his first ever World Cup.

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