Monday, December 23, 2024

Ezri Konsa emerges as England doubt as Unai Emery provides injury update

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Ezri Konsa looks set to give England a defensive injury worry after suffering a hamstring problem in Aston Villa’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United.

The centre-back came off in the 12th minute and is expected to be ruled out of Lee Carsley’s squad for the matches against Finland and Greece.

“I think it is [his] hamstring,” said Villa manager Unai Emery. “I don’t know if it is big or small.”

Konsa, who has won eight caps, impressed when starting the Euro 2024 quarter-final and had been preferred to Harry Maguire when interim manager Carsley named his 25-man group on Thursday.

But Carsley looks to be unable to pick Maguire either after the United centre-back was substituted, along with Noussair Mazraoui.

Maguire left Villa Park with his foot in a protective boot and manager Erik ten Hag said: “We have to take them off at half-time. Tomorrow we have to see what is the diagnosis on it.”

Harry Maguire had to be helped off the Villa Park pitch

Harry Maguire had to be helped off the Villa Park pitch (Getty Images)

Ten Hag said he substituted Marcus Rashford to spare the forward a red card after the England international, already booked for a foul on Matty Cash, brought down Jaden Philogene.

He added: “That was one of the reasons to take him off. If it was another foul probably he would be sent off. We can’t take another risk.”

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