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John Stones could MISS England's Euro 2016 games as Luke Shaw confirms 'dead leg' pain
JOHN STONES is likely to miss England's upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers after suffering ankle ligament damage in Everton's 2-1 defeat at Manchester United today.
Stones went down in the final minutes of the Toffees' loss at Old Trafford, and will be out for "a few weeks", according to manager Roberto Martinez.
"John Stones has a problem with his ankle. It will be at least a few weeks (until he recovers)," Martinez said.
"I don't expect John to be fit for next week.
"It is such a massive blow because he plays with an incredible arrogance. We will assess him in the next 48 hours."
Martinez confirms Stones has injured his ankle ligaments and will be assessed over the next 48 hours.
— Everton (@Everton) October 5, 2014
The news will be a bitter blow for England manger Roy Hodgson, who is facing something of a defensive injury crisis.
With Kyle Walker, Jon Flanagan, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones all injured for qualifiers against San Marino and Estonia, Hodgson may be forced to call up cover form the Under-21 team - although Glen Johnson's 26-minute run-out for Liverpool on Saturday is of some comfort.
Arsenal's Calum Chambers looks the obvious solution as a central defensive cover and Hodgson may ignore left-back Luke Shaw after the United player limped off injured before Stones this afternoon.
Shaw confirmed after the game he had suffered a "dead leg" but is likely to play a part in Gareth Southgate's U-21 set-up this month.
"I felt it in the first 20 minutes when I got caught, but it carried on during the game so I thought it was probably best to come off before it gets any worse," Shaw said.
"I spoke with the doctor and obviously the manager as well, and both feel it's best that I do go [with England Under-21s] as it's not an injury that is going to keep me out.
"Hopefully, I should be training in the next couple of days and can get another two games of 90 minutes."
Van Gaal - Man Utd 2-1 Everton
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