World Cup

James Milner praises Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's work rate

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 12 June 2014

England's James Milner reveals that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is recovering strongly from the medial ligament injury that had threatened to end his World Cup hopes.

James Milner has revealed that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's intense work rate has proved too much for the physios overseeing his injury rehabilitation.

Arsenal midfielder Oxlade-Chamberlain was a major doubt for the 2014 World Cup after straining medial ligaments during the 2-2 draw with Ecuador last week.

However, he will remain with the squad in Brazil and his teammate Milner has been very impressed with the 20-year-old's attitude in recovering so strongly from what could have been a tournament-ending blow.

"It's great to see Ox about running," he told reporters. "He obviously feared not long ago that it might be the end of his tournament, but the running he has been doing...

"He saw one of the physios off because he couldn't keep up with him, so another physio had to come in and run the second part of the running with him, so he is running at good speed and coming along well."

Oxlade-Chamberlain is only expected to miss England's opening game - against Italy on Saturday.