LIVERPOOL, England — England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was ruled out the World Cup on Wednesday after sustaining knee-ligament damage playing for Liverpool in the Champions League semifinals against Roma. Oxlade-Chamberlain was carried off on a stretcher in the 18th minute of the first leg at Anfield on Tuesday. The 24-year-old midfielder was assessed by Liverpool, which said he will not return to full fitness until next season. He also suffered a knee injury shortly before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, when he was still included in England’s squad but didn’t play in any of the team’s three matches. He was on course to start in England’s opening match of the World Cup, against Tunisia on June 18.

Source: National Post April 25, 2018 17:14 UTC