An injury expert believes Jordan Henderson will be "lucky" to feature again at the World Cup after the midfielder was involved in a freak accident following England's round of 16 victory over Mexico. The 36-year-old did not see a minute of action at the Aztec Stadium but was shown a yellow card as England edged past the co-hosts 3-2, with a brace from Jude Bellingham and a Harry Kane penalty securing progression.
Freak injury during celebrations
During the wild celebrations after the win, Henderson slipped on advertising hoardings and fell awkwardly onto his arm. He required a stretcher and was taken to hospital. England head coach Thomas Tuchel expressed concern about the severity of the injury. While the precise nature of the injury—whether it affects his wrist or arm—remains unclear, questions now hang over his availability for the remainder of the tournament.
Expert assessment
Injury expert Physio Scout on X assessed the available video footage and outlined potential recovery timelines. Should it prove to be a wrist or forearm fracture, recovery is likely to require four to eight weeks. An elbow dislocation would necessitate three to six weeks before a return is possible. The expert added that Henderson would be "really lucky to play again in this tournament." The final is less than a fortnight away in New Jersey.
Setback for Henderson
This represents a significant setback for Henderson in what is almost certain to be his last World Cup. Depending on hospital assessment results, his hopes of lifting the trophy this summer could be dashed. His role within the camp remains unclear, but his wealth of experience means he could still offer valuable guidance to teammates off the pitch.
Tuchel's headache
The injury to the former Liverpool captain is the latest headache for Tuchel in his pursuit of a place in the final. Jarell Quansah's red card on the night left him short of right-back options ahead of the quarter-final showdown with Norway. How the England boss will replace both former Liverpool men remains to be seen.
