Which England team favourites are currently injured ahead of the World Cup 2022?
Posted by  badge Boss on Oct 10, 2022 - 10:25PM
England begin their World Cup campaign in just a matter of weeks (Picture: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

is sweating on the fitness of a number of players with the Three Lions just weeks away from their at the .

Southgate has been rocked by injuries to a number of his key players which have thrown some of his World Cup plans into uncertainty, with the tournament .

Southgate is expected to name his for the World Cup on or around Thursday, October 20, before whittling the numbers down to the final 26-man squad at a later date.

The final deadline for squad submissions is November 13, which is the same day the Premier League whilst the World Cup takes place.

Here is your full list of would-be England players currently injured ahead of the World Cup.

Harry Maguire

Maguire picked up a hamstring injury during England’s draw with Germany on September 26.

The centre back has not played since then and a return date has not been set.

According to , the 29 year-old has been granted a special holiday by manager Erik ten Hag, with Maguire jetting off to Portugal to aide his recovery and to ‘clear his head.’

Even if he can prove his fitness, it is not a given that Southgate will include him in the squad given Maguire is in ten Hag’s new regime at Old Trafford.

In the very same game that Maguire picked up the injury, the England defender gave away the ball before proceeding to give away a penalty in his attempt to regain possession.

Maguire sustained a hamstring injury whilst on England duty (Picture: Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)

John Stones

The Nations League clash with Germany proved disastrous for England’s centre backs – they shipped three goals and pulled two hamstrings in the game at Wembley on September 26.

Stones joined Maguire by also picking up a hamstring injury in the match, with Stones hobbling off in the first half whilst clutching his leg.

Stones is close to returning to full training, and could even feature in Manchester City’s game with Liverpool on October 16.

John Stones is closing in on a return from injury (Picture: Michael Zemanek/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Kyle Walker

Walker’s participation in Qatar is in doubt after undergoing groin surgery on an injury picked up in the first half of the Manchester derby on October 2.

Walker has been a near ever-present for England under Southgate, with the City fullback’s versatility often seeing him feature on the right-hand side of a back three whilst wearing England colours.

A timescale has not been put on Walker’s return, with the 32 year-old still hopeful of making it onto the plane to Qatar.

believe he still has a chance of featuring in the tournament given how quickly his body has healed from previous injuries.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Alexander-Arnold was withdrawn at halftime during ’s chaotic 3-2 defeat to at the Emirates on October 9.

The right-back was forced off with a twisted ankle and is set to undergo a scan to reveal the full extent of the injury.

Klopp: ‘He twisted the ankle, not good. Trent never, in seven years, went off if he could have played on.

‘He was in too much pain, it started swelling immediately, so we will have to see.’

Alexander-Arnold only played 45 minutes in the defeat to Arsenal (Picture: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Kalvin Phillips

Manchester City’s summer signing Kalvin Phillips is a major doubt for the World Cup.

The midfielder dislocated his shoulder in September and has not played for club or country since then.

Phillips played an instrumental role in England’s run to the Euro 2020 final, starting all seven games for the Three Lions last summer.

Phillips is a major doubt for the World Cup after starring for England last summer (Picture: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

When do England play at the World Cup?

England’s first game at the World Cup will be against Iran on November 21.

They will next be in Group B action on November 25 against the USA, before concluding the group stage in a crunch game against Wales on November 29.

England's group stage fixtures at the FIFA World Cup 2022

  • England vs Iran: Monday, November 21 at 1pm
  • England vs USA: Friday, November 25 at 7pm
  • Wales vs England: Tuesday, November 29 at 7pm

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