• World Cup qualifiers

Cleverley ruled out for England

ESPN staff
October 11, 2013
Tom Cleverley suffered a calf injury in England training © Getty Images
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Tom Cleverley has been ruled out of England's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland due to a calf injury.

Reputations on the line

Hodgson under pressure © Getty Images
  • Like the first day of exams, Roy Hodgson's week of destiny has come around all too soon, writes Iain Macintosh. Hodgson, a fundamentally decent fellow, has had more than a year to qualify for the World Cup, but like most students, he now finds himself trying to do all the work at the last minute. Typical.
  • Click here to continue reading

Cleverley, 24, who has won 11 caps for England, has featured regularly under Roy Hodgson during the current qualification campaign.

However, Hodgson will have to make do without the services of the Manchester United midfielder for his side's remaining two Group H clashes, the FA confirmed in a statement.

The news will come as a blow to Hodgson, with England needing six points from their games to guarantee their place at next year's World Cup in Brazil.

According to reports in the English press, Cleverley would have had to make do with a place on the bench alongside Jack Wilshere against Montenegro, with Frank Lampard partnering captain Steven Gerrard in the centre of midfield.

James Milner and Danny Welbeck are believed to have got the nod to line up on the flanks, while Daniel Sturridge looks set to play alongside Wayne Rooney up front.

England welcome Montenegro to Wembley on Friday before hosting Poland at the same stadium on Tuesday.

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