Injury agony for Green

Robert Green's World Cup dream is in tatters after he ruptured his groin against Belarus.

Robert Green's World Cup dream is in tatters after he was stretchered off during the England B game against Belarus.

The Norwich City goalkeeper came on as a half time substitute for David James at The Madejski Stadium on Thursday night.

But Green's appearance lasted just five minutes when he collapsed with a ruptured groin after taking a goal kick.

Green immediately fell to the floor upon kicking the ball downfield, with Belarus taking advantage when Vitaly Kutuzov shot into an empty net.

The 26-year-old actually suffered the injury when making a hash of a Belarussian free kick moments earlier.

A stretcher was brought on for the keeper and he was carried off with his legs strapped together.

He was replaced by fellow England rookie Scott Carson, who now seems certain to be Sven Goran Eriksson's third choice keeper for the World Cup.

Carson has recently been on loan at Sheffield Wednesday from Liverpool and was savouring his first senior experience with England against Belarus.