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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Supplied)
Cape Town - Roy Hodgson says England will do everything in their power to ensure Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is ready for the World Cup, admitting that the midfielder's absence would be a "major blow".
The Arsenal midfielder's availability for next week's Brazil spectacular was put in doubt on Wednesday after he suffered medial knee ligament damage during the Three Lions' 2-2 draw against Ecuador.
The Football Association are yet to give a time frame on the paceman's expected return, and although they are keeping options in mind for a potential replacement, England boss Hodgson is hopeful that can be avoided.
"He's had a scan and he has some damage to his medial ligament. We couldn't say for certain how long it would take but he will get extensive treatment.
"We've got the right, if we want, to replace him up to 24 hours before the first game but we'll do everything we can to keep him with us because we'd like to think we'll go beyond the group stage, and of course he played so well (against Ecuador).
"He was undoubtedly our best player while he played and it would be a major blow to lose him.
"Our medical people are optimistic, he's optimistic, so we'll just wait and see and hope for the best."
The Arsenal midfielder's availability for next week's Brazil spectacular was put in doubt on Wednesday after he suffered medial knee ligament damage during the Three Lions' 2-2 draw against Ecuador.
The Football Association are yet to give a time frame on the paceman's expected return, and although they are keeping options in mind for a potential replacement, England boss Hodgson is hopeful that can be avoided.
"He's had a scan and he has some damage to his medial ligament. We couldn't say for certain how long it would take but he will get extensive treatment.
"We've got the right, if we want, to replace him up to 24 hours before the first game but we'll do everything we can to keep him with us because we'd like to think we'll go beyond the group stage, and of course he played so well (against Ecuador).
"He was undoubtedly our best player while he played and it would be a major blow to lose him.
"Our medical people are optimistic, he's optimistic, so we'll just wait and see and hope for the best."
