Danny Welbeck treated on the pitch on Sunday (Getty Images)
Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free
Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Danny Welbeck is out of Euro 2016 and will be sidelined until early 2017 after being forced to undergo knee surgery that is expected to keep the Arsenal forward out of action for nine months.
The former Manchester United forward had been set to claim a place in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for next month’s European Championships in France, but after suffering a serious injury to his right knee during the 2-2 draw at Manchester City on Sunday, he has now undergone surgery to resolve ‘significant cartilage damage.’
Welbeck’s injury has now opened the door for Newcastle United’s Andros Townsend to earn a late call-up for France, although Hodgson is understood to also be considering the merits of Arsenal’s Theo Walcott and Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard.
Having been sidelined for ten months with an injury to his left knee, only returning to action in February, Welbeck’s new setback is also a huge blow for Arsenal, which may prompt manager Arsene Wenger to target attacking reinforcements this summer in an attempt to make up for the loss of the 25-year-old, who had scored five goals in 15 appearance since his return to action.
Arsenal confirmed the extent of Welbeck’s injury in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.
Manchester City 2 Arsenal 2 player ratings
Show all 22
The statement said: “Danny Welbeck has had surgery to his right knee. Specialists determined surgery was required after scans and tests revealed significant cartilage damage.
“Danny will miss the Euro 2016 Championship in the summer and his full recovery is expected to take approximately nine months.
“Since returning to action in February after injuring his left knee in May last year, Welbeck’s impact has been telling - scoring five times, including the recent winner against Norwich City at Emirates Stadium.
“Everyone at Arsenal will be working hard with Danny throughout his recovery and look forward to seeing him back on the pitch as soon as possible.”
England manager Hodgson had been due to name his 23-man squad for France on Thursday, but has now put that announcement back until next Monday in order to assess the fitness of Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies