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СпутникиРНSpaceXРоскосмосNASAEXCLUSIVE BY SAM MOKBEL: The Crystal Palace shot-stopper becomes England's first injury casualty ahead of the tournament in a major blow to head coach Gareth Southgate.
By SAMI MOKBEL, CHIEF FOOTBALL REPORTER
Published: 05:46 EDT, 27 March 2024 | Updated: 06:47 EDT, 27 March 2024
England second-choice goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is undergoing surgery on Wednesday morning and will miss Euro 2024.
The Crystal Palace shot-stopper becomes England’s first injury casualty ahead of the tournament in news that arrives as a major blow to head coach Gareth Southgate.
Johnstone’s impressive displays for the Selhurst Park club this season had propelled him towards being a virtual certainty to make Southgate’s final squad for Germany this summer, a tournament he’d have traveled to as Jordan Pickford’s understudy.
But Johnstone will miss the rest of the season after suffering an accidental elbow injury whilst training with England on Sunday ahead of the game against Belgium, a game he was expected to start. The 31-year-old sustained the problem when saving a shot.
Johnstone is having an operation to repair the damage on Wednesday before entering a period of recovery that means he will not be available for the European Championships.
Crystal Palace's Sam Johnstone will miss Euro 2024 after undergoing surgery on his elbow
Johnstone suffered the elbow injury during training ahead of England's clash with Belgium
The news arrives as a huge disappointment to Johnstone, who is said to be devastated at the unfortunate turn of events.
It is expected that the operation will rule Johnstone out of action for between three to four months.
On Sunday night, as news broke of Johnstone’s withdrawal from the England squad, there was hope at Palace that the injury wasn’t serious.
But following an appointment with a specialist on Monday it became clear the issue, which has seen the top of Johnstone’s forearm become unattached from the base of his elbow, was far more serious.
The onus will now fall on Dean Henderson to replace Johnstone at Palace for the remainder of the season.
But how Southgate approaches the summer without Johnstone remains to be seen.
Johnstone's performances this season saw his stock rise with Gareth Southgate's (left), who has now promoted Burnley's James Trafford (right) to the squad in the Palace keeper's place
The former West Brom man was in pole position to head to Germany as Pickford’s back-up, particularly given Aaron Ramsdale is not playing at Arsenal and Nick Pope's long-term injury at Newcastle.
Southgate promoted Burnley keeper James Trafford into his squad on Sunday to replace Johnstone, while Jack Butland could be an option if Johnstone fails to prove his fitness.