TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD limped off injured late on as England beat Austria 1-0.
The Liverpool star, 22, has given Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate a major headache 11 days from the start of Euro 2020 as he hobbled off ‘swearing’.
WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game
The right-back – one of four included in Southgate’s 26-man squad – had enjoyed an efficient – if unspectacular – night as England won in Middlesbrough.
But there was drama late on as Alexander-Arnold pulled up hurt just minutes before full-time.
No opponent was near the Liverpool ace and he appeared to hurt a thigh as he cleared the ball with his left foot.
Boss Southgate later said the defender will be assessed in the next 24 hours.
The Three Lions boss said after the game: “He was in some discomfort. We are so close to the finals so for any player an injury makes them a doubt.
“We’re going to have a look. It’s not good to see him come off in the way he did. We’ll have to assess him over the next 24 hours. I think it was a thigh but the medical team are assessing him.
“We’ll have to see. It’s not a good sign to see him have to walk off as he did. We’ll know more in 24 to 48 hours.”
Reece James, Kieran Tripper and Kyle Walker can all slot in at right back in the starting XI, but on who would replace Alexander-Arnold in the 26-man squad if he is badly injured, Southgate added: “Let’s see how Trent is and then we’ll go from there.
BETTING SPECIAL – GET ENGLAND TO WIN EURO 2020 AND HARRY KANE TO BE TOP SCORER AT 18/1
WIN £50,000 with Dream Team Euros
Dream Team Euros is HERE!
The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
Dream Team Euros
- £50,000 jackpot
- The best fantasy football game this summer
- Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
- FREE to play
“We don’t know the full extent. The last thing you want is to see him come off in the way he did.”
Jack Grealish said in his post-match interview: “It didn’t look good the way he was walking around the pitch.
“Fingers crossed he will be OK in the next few days.”
ITV pundits suggested Alexander-Arnold was seen muttering ‘It’s gone’ to the physio but Lee Dixon said that was just speculation.
‘HE’S IN BIG TROUBLE’
But speaking in the studio after the game, ITV pundit Roy Keane said the Three Lions ace is in ‘big trouble’.
The notoriously level headed Irishman said: “We won’t obviously jump the gun but it didn’t look good there.
“He was walking past us and he looked really uncomfortable.
“He was swearing quite a bit so it doesn’t look good. The guy looks in big trouble.”
Former England and Arsenal star Ian Wright also reckons England fans should brace themselves for an Alexander-Arnold free Euros.
The 57-year-old said: “My instinct is you could see when he was covering his face with his shirt he feels himself it isn’t going to happen for him.
“You know instantly when you are injured.
“The way he kicked the ball it could have been thigh or hamstring. With 11 days there is no way he is going to make that.”
Former England star Eni Aluko added: “It is so unfortunate for Trent, we spoke so much about his journey and this injury does not look good.
“It opens up a spot for someone else. Does Jesse Lingard come in? It opens it up if Trent is out.”
⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
