England Midfielder Recovers from Freak Injury
England midfielder Jordan Henderson has rejoined The Three Lions at their World Cup training base after a successful surgery on his left wrist. The procedure followed a freak injury he sustained while celebrating their Round of 16 triumph over Mexico.
Henderson posted a photo on social media showing his left arm wrapped after the surgery at the Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute, which is close to the team hotel in Prairie Village, Kansas.
"Surgery done!" Henderson said. "Now let's get ready for the big one Saturday."
The 36-year-old Henderson had been ruled out for the remainder of the World Cup due to the injury. He was an unused substitute for the match against Mexico at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, where The Three Lions secured a 3-2 win to advance to the quarterfinals against Norway.
Henderson hurt his wrist while climbing over an advertising billboard during the celebrations. "I’m sad because Jordan injured his wrist," England coach Thomas Tuchel said after the match. "It’s quite serious."
Henderson was taken from the field on a stretcher and initially remained in Mexico City before returning to the United States for surgery. His only World Cup appearance this year was in the group stage, when he came off the bench against Panama.
The match against Panama marked Henderson's 91st career cap, making him the first player from England to appear in four different World Cups. "Time goes very quickly," Henderson said. "It’s very special to represent my country in four World Cups, so, yeah, I’m just delighted to be a part of this team. It’s still as special now as when I made my debut in 2010. Time goes quickly, but I’m just delighted that I can help the team as much as possible, both on and off the field, and just try and give everything I can to help us achieve our dreams, really."
England's World Cup history includes failing to make it out of the group stage in 2014, losing to Belgium in the third-place match in 2018, and falling to France in the quarterfinals in 2022. Their only World Cup title remains the 1966 triumph over West Germany.
