Soccer: England boss Roy Hodgson has been dealt another massive injury blow after defender Gary Cahill was ruled out of Euro 2012 with a double fracture of his jaw. Cahill suffered the injury when he was pushed into goalkeeper Joe Hart during the first half of yesterday's 1-0 win over Belgium at Wembley.
He was immediately sent for X-rays, although Hodgson feared the worst and that has now been realised, the Football Association has confirmed.
Liverpool’s Martin Kelly has been called up as a replacement.
It completes a disastrous week for England, who have now lost three players after central midfield duo Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard had their hopes of taking part in the finals in Poland and Ukraine dashed by injury.
The one piece of good news for Hodgson is that John Terry should be available after scans showed he had suffered no serious damage to his hamstring.
An FA statement released this afternoon read: “Gary Cahill has been withdrawn from England’s Euro 2012 squad following the injury he suffered in the match against Belgium.
“The Chelsea defender has two fractures of his jaw, one either side. The England medical team have been in close contact overnight with Cahill’s club doctors who will treat him moving forward.
“Liverpool defender Martin Kelly will be called into the squad — subject to agreement from UEFA’s medical team. Kelly trained with the England players last week and was part of the group that travelled to Norway.
“John Terry has been scanned this morning and given the all-clear. He will be re-assessed on Tuesday when the team regroup.”
It is understood Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand was not contacted as a potential replacement, with Hodgson believing Kelly, who last week travelled with the England party to Norway, where he made his international debut as a late substitute, would need less time to get fully fit.
The wisdom of that decision is bound to be questioned, particularly as Hodgson has lost so much experience.
Certainly it is even less likely than before that Ferdinand will play for his country again, something Sir Alex Ferguson might welcome if no one else.
It also means England will have to revise their plans for the Group D opener against France in Donetsk on June 11, when Cahill was expected to partner Terry.
The former Bolton man was replaced at Wembley yesterday by Joleon Lescott, who many felt was deserving of a starting berth anyway thanks to his superb performances in Manchester City’s title-winning campaign.
