Selection headache for England boss Roy Hodgson after Arsenal striker Danny Welback ruled out for nine months
England boss Roy Hodgson faces a selection headache after Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck was ruled out for up to nine months following surgery on his right knee.
The 25-year-old will miss this summer’s European Championship in France having suffered significant cartilage damage during the Gunners’ 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Sunday. He may not return to action until February 2017.
Welbeck was expected to be named in England’s 23-man squad for Euro 2016, which will now be announced on Monday as Hodgson opted to delay revealing his hand until after the conclusion of the Premier League season on Sunday.
The former Manchester United hitman’s injury may offer hope to the likes of Jermain Defoe and Andy Carroll should Hodgson want to bolster his squad with an out-and-out striker.
Defoe, 33, has been in sparkling form this season, netting 15 Premier League goals, in a struggling Sunderland side, while Carroll, who has six goals in his last nine appearances, offers a physical presence.
Hodgson may deem his squad to have a sufficient attacking potency in the shape of Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney, who are all expected to make the plane to France.
Such a stance would likely press the case of players who provide an option on the flanks, which could bring Arsenal’s Theo Walcott, ex-Spurs winger Andros Townsend and Jesse Lingard into the equation.