Hudson-Odoi gives Blues injury scare after missing England U21 defeat

Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi cools injury fears on England Under 21 duty as he pushes to prove his fitness after a shoulder issue in time for the showdown clash with Croatia

  • Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi picked up the injury during a training session
  • The 20-year-old started England Under 21s opening game against Switzerland
  • England U21s likely to exit the tournament after losing their opening two games 

Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi missed England Under-21s group stage defeat to Portugal on Sunday due to a shoulder problem. 

The Blues winger picked up the injury during training, but was not sent back to his club and is set to return for England’s final European Championship group game against Croatia on Wednesday.  

The young Lions are likely to exit the tournament after losing their opening game 1-0 to Switzerland, and their second 2-0 to Portugal.

 Callum Hudson-Odoi missed England Under 21s defeat to Portugal on Sunday due to injury

The 20-year-old Chelsea winger is expected to be fit for Wednesday’s game against Croatia

England must now beat Croatia on Wednesday and hope Portugal defeat Switzerland to have any chance of progressing from Group D.  

If the young Lions and Portugal both win it would then come down to a three-way head to head between England, Croatia and Switzerland for one place. Such an occurrence is likely be settled by goal difference.

Hudson-Odoi started England’s first match but was unavailable for the second after picking up the shoulder injury.

England boss Aidy Boothroyd emphasised the importance of the 20-year-old before their defeat to Portugal. 

‘We need Callum. We need all of them. We have 23 outstanding players but only 11 places,’ Boothroyd said. 

Chelsea star Mason Mount scored England’s second goal during the 2-0 win over Albania

‘Callum is a player who has done brilliantly for his club and us. He’s a key player. It’s important that we share the load in this particular game.’ 

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel also has Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount away with the senior England team. 

All three started in the 5-0 demolition of San Marino at Wembley, while Mount also played in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Albania and scored England’s second. 

However, N’Golo Kante has returned to London after he sustained an injury whilst on international duty. The Blues midfielder felt discomfort in his hamstring during France’s 1-1 draw with Ukraine on Wednesday.

Chelsea host relegation threatened West Brom in their first fixture after the international break. 




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