Welbeck faces a late fitness test to see if he can face Italy.
Ahead of England’s 2014 World Cup opener with Italy on Saturday there is more injury concern as Manchester United’s Danny Welbeck is a doubt, reports BBC Sport.
The 23-year-old picked up a thigh problem whilst training on Tuesday and manager Roy Hodgson will be hoping the Red Devils star can recover in time to face the Italians at the weekend.
Welbeck is a favourite of Hodgson’s and was likely to start the nation’s first World Cup clash after being in the starting XI for two of Three Lions’ three warm-up matches.
To date the United forward has 20 caps for the English and has scored eight goals, which is decent record for a player who often operates from the left flank.
However, even if Welbeck is fit there are many calling for Liverpool youngster Raheem Sterling to start against Italy, following the 19-year-old’s hugely impressive season with the Reds.
Sterling was instrumental in Brendan Rodgers’ men reaching second in the Premier League in 2013/14 and the teenager has also been impressing Hodgson in training.
There is talk of the Merseysiders ace playing in a No.10 role behind club teammate Daniel Sturridge, with Wayne Rooney pushed out to the left flank.
Meanwhile if injured, Welbeck will join Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the absentee list, with the 20-year-old ruled out of the first World Cup match with a knee injury – but Hodgson is hopeful the 20-year-old will be fit to face Uruguay.
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