James Maddison comes off INJURED after just 25 minutes during Leicester’s clash against West Ham with suspected knee problem… giving England and Gareth Southgate a huge concern just eight days ahead of the World Cup
- James Maddison has suffered an injury in Saturday’s match against West Ham
- The Leicester playmaker was hooked in the first-half after going down injured
- Maddison held onto his knee as he received treatment before being removed
- The 25-year-old was picked by Gareth Southgate for England’s World Cup squad
James Maddison has handed England their first concern just days before they head to the middle-east after limping off injured for Leicester City against West Ham in Saturday’s Premier League clash.
The Leicester playmaker went down off the ball clutching his knee, sitting on the turf and cutting a shocked figure as he received on-pitch treatment at the London Stadium.
Maddison put Leicester in-front with an eighth minute strike but was withdrawn midway through the first-half after physios decided he was unable to carry on.
Leicester star James Maddison (middle) has been subbed off against West Ham
West Ham skipper and England teammate Declan Rice (right) consoled Maddison on the turf
The 24-year-old went down while Leicester were out of possession and immediately sat down on the turf as worries England supporters and teammates inside the ground watched on.
West Ham captain and England teammate Declan Rice was one of the first on the scene as he consoled a dishevelled looking Maddison. Any lengthy injury at this stage would see Maddison’s World Cup hopes scrapped.
Maddison is now a doubt for England’s World Cup squad after coming off against West Ham
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers reassured Maddison (right) as he left the pitch at West Ham
Positive signs showed Maddison standing on up and walking off the pitch unaided before he was quickly ushered down the West Ham tunnel and back to the visitors changing room to receive treatment.
Maddison is the first England casualty of the Premier League’s final round of fixtures before the World Cup as national teams around the world anxiously wait to see their stars join national team camps.
Gareth Southgate is permitted to make changes to his 26-man England squad up until 6pm on Monday evening but will be hoping the Leicester star’s injury is superficial and doesn’t require any layoff.
England manager Gareth Southgate is sweating on the fitness of the Leicester midfielder
Maddison’s World Cup inclusion has been one of the most highly-debated picks as Southgate opted to hand the midfielder his first national call-up since 2019.
His only senior England appearance came in a 7-0 win over Montenegro during the Three Lions’ Euro 2020 qualifying campaign. Since then Maddison has been an outcast under Southgate.
The Leicester star’s involvement in the World Cup squad comes after a stellar start to the season with the Foxes. Maddison has scored seven Premier League goals and registered three assists so far this season.
Maddison later returned to the Leicester bench after receiving treatment for his injury
Maddison later returned to take his seat on the Foxes bench in the second-half against West Ham, smiling and watching on with his teammates in the dugout.
His injury woes will come as huge concern for Southgate and his England staff after already losing Reece James and Ben Chilwell over the past month, while Kyle Walker has been included in his squad despite not yet returning to full fitness.
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