England and Chelsea full back Ben Chilwell will miss the World Cup in Qatar After scans showed he had “significant” damage to his hamstring, the Premier League club said on Saturday.
Chilwell scored in stoppage time of Chelsea’s 2-1 Champions League win Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old grabbed his left thigh after sprinting, fell to the ground before being escorted off the pitch by Chelsea medical staff, and was said to have left Stamford Bridge on crutches.
“The results show that Ben has sustained a significant injury and the defender unfortunately has to miss the World Cup,” Chelsea said in a statement.
“Ben will now begin a rehabilitation program with the club’s medical department.”
In one statement on social networksChilwell said: “After the ACL injury, I worked very hard to make sure I was ready for the World Cup. It was always my dream.
“Unfortunately, this will not be possible after my scan results. I will do all I can to get back playing for Chelsea as soon as possible.”
Chilwell, who featured in England’s Euro 2020 squad, missed part of last season due to an anterior cruciate ligament rupture but has returned to Chelsea’s first team this season with 13 appearances in all competitions.
The news comes as another blow to England with the team also set to miss out on Chelsea’s service Reece Jameswho was ruled out for eight weeks due to a knee injury he received in the match against them AC Milan.
Britain is also sweating on the fitness of City of Manchester couple Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips.
England begin their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21.
