• England 5-0 San Marino, World Cup qualifier

Hodgson fumes as Walcott suffers suspected broken rib

ESPN staff
October 12, 2012
Theo Walcott is a doubt for England's next match against Poland © PA Photos
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Arsene Wenger will be sweating on the fitness of Theo Walcott after the Arsenal forward suffered a suspected broken rib during England's 5-0 win over San Marino, leaving Roy Hodgson furious.

Walcott was clattered by San Marino keeper Aldo Simoncini just inside the area as he ran on to Kyle Walker's pass, but no penalty was awarded. He was replaced by Tottenham's Aaron Lennon after ten minutes, taken to hospital for a scan and is a serious doubt for England's next World Cup qualifier against Poland on Tuesday.

England boss Hodgson fumed over the challenge after the match, and remains in doubt over the extent of the winger's injury until such time as his scan results return.

"It was a very bad challenge," Hodgson told ITV. "He is in hospital and will stay in hospital overnight. He is having scans and tests, and we can only hope it is not too bad. It was it was a very poor challenge and really we should have been 1-0 up after two or three minutes from a penalty.

"I think if I were to describe it was reckless I would be being kind. It was a very fierce challenge.

"I think the goalkeeper, although I don't believe for one minute there was any malice in it when he went for the ball, irrespective of that it was a very bad challenge and it's put Walcott in hospital we have to wait now and find out the extent of his injury.

"And really and truly when your goalkeeper does that I think you are very lucky to a) have him still on the field, and b) not have a penalty given against him.

"Theo will now be in hospital overnight. It's a chest injury, and obviously didn't look too good but until such time as they've x-rayed it and scanned it we really don't know."

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