James Maddison suffers knee injury just nine days before England's World Cup opener; Leicester midfielder has been named in Gareth Southgate's 26-man squad for Qatar; Maddison played down injury scare after game: "It should be fine. Yeah, I think so"
Saturday 12 November 2022 19:26, UK
James Maddison says he should be fit for the World Cup despite an injury scare in Leicester's 2-0 win at West Ham.
Maddison, who opened the scoring against the Hammers in the eighth minute, was taken off in the 25th minute at the London Stadium with a knee injury, just two days after he was named in England's 26-man squad for Qatar.
But the 25-year-old played down any fears he will not be fit for the tournament as he left the London Stadium, saying: "It should be fine. Yeah, I think so."
He then later tweeted: "Another win & another goal. Perfect way to finish before the break.
"Injury isn't too bad! A small problem that was causing a bit of soreness. Can't wait to meet up with the lads Monday."
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers was also positive over Maddison's fitness ahead of England's opening World Cup game against Iran on November 21.
The Northern Irishman said: "He's fine, just precautionary really. A little bit of soreness on the side of his knee.
"He hasn't trained a lot this week after the Everton game. He's ok."
Maddison went down against West Ham holding his lower leg and then received treatment on the pitch before limping off to be substituted.
Watching the West Ham vs Leicester game for Soccer Saturday, Clinton Morrison said: "He knew straight away. He just went into the middle of the park and went down.
"Maddison is feeling the back of his knee. He's walking off.
"He looks really disappointed. He doesn't look too distressed, so I don't know until we hear from him at the end.
"But I hope he's alright because he started the game brilliantly."
Sky Sports' Charlotte Marsh, reporting on the game from The London Stadium, wrote in the second half: "Maddison is sitting in the Leicester dugout and looks to be OK.
"A player whose World Cup dreams are over is unlikely to be chatting away to a Leicester staff member in the dugout as he is."
If the injury does put Maddison out of the World Cup then England boss Gareth Southgate will be able to replace him, with FIFA rules permitting teams to make late replacements in the event of serious injury at any time up to 24 hours before their first game.
Monday November 21 - England vs Iran (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 1pm)
Friday November 25 - England vs USA (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 7pm)
Tuesday November 29 - Wales vs England (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 7pm)
