England manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Daniel Sturridge will not face Brazil on Sunday due to an ankle injury.
The Liverpool striker, who had scored six goals in his previous five outings, made his first start for the Three Lions against Republic of Ireland on Wednesday.
However, Sturridge had to be withdrawn 33 minutes into the match after appearing to roll over on his ankle before being stretchered from the field.
Hodgson told ITV: “He"s not going to [play] Brazil, unfortunately.
“It"s ligament damage, we think. We are not 100 per cent sure. I fear it will keep him out for a few weeks. The surgeon is with him now and he will be contacting Liverpool [shortly]."
Hodgson lamented the injury hampering the 23-year-old"s impressive start at Wembley.
“He had a brilliant start to the game and we were really sad to lose him," Hodgson continued. “I think we missed him as Jermain Defoe hasn"t played for a while and is also suffering from a slight injury problem."
Defoe replaced the former Chelsea man on the night, but will face competition from Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck for a starting berth to face the five-time world champions at Rio"s revamped Maracanã stadium this weekend.
Source: Goal.com
