Oxlade-Chamberlain injury setback to keep him out until 2014

EPL: Arsenal and England have suffered an injury blow with news that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s recovery is taking longer than expected.

The midfielder damaged his knee in the Gunners opening day defeat to Aston Villa.

The initial prognosis was that Oxlade-Chamberlain would be ruled out for just two months but the problem is taking longer than expected to heal.

According to the Sunday People, the 20-year-old has now been told he can’t even start training again until the middle of next month with a return to the first team almost certainly ruled out until next year.

The setback will put Oxlade-Chamberlain’s place at the World Cup in jeopardy with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger likely to use the talented youngster sparingly on his return with so many midfield options at his disposal.

England manager Roy Hodgson is a big admirer of the player and will give him every chance to prove his form and fitness for Brazil, but it will be touch and go as to whether he will make the final squad.

Metro