Jordan Henderson has been pictured smiling in his hospital bed after needing surgery on a freak arm injury.
The England star, 36, suffered the chilling arm blow as he vaulted an advertising hoarding while celebrating the 3-2 victory over Mexico in the World Cup last 16.
But sharing a photograph with his three surgeons on Instagram, Henderson was in an upbeat mood – despite being ruled out for the rest of the World Cup and needing a cast on his ‘smashed’ left forearm.
‘Surgery done! Let’s get ready for the big one Saturday,’ he said.
‘Thank you to all the staff that looked after me at Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute. Especially the three surgeons who carried out the operation.’
Henderson required oxygen and was stretchered off the pitch after Dan Burn noticed his emergency and signalled for treatment.
One of the surgeons, Dr. Kirk McCullough, works with NFL stars.
The Brentford player’s father, Brian, exclusively told the Daily Mail: ‘At first I just thought he’d fallen. I thought he’d maybe scraped his wrist.
Jordan Henderson smiled from his hospital bed after having surgery on his left forearm
He suffered the horrific injury after England’s victory over Mexico while trying to vault an advertising hoarding
‘I had no idea it was that serious until they were interviewing Harry Kane and a trolley came past with Jordan on it. I could see him on there with oxygen and things.
‘Straight away, I messaged his PA, who was over there, to try and find out what had happened. I was up all night waiting to hear the news.
‘It’s his left forearm – he’s just completely smashed it.
‘He’s going to have a cast on and then it depends on what the experts say.
‘He won’t be leaving his team-mates. He’ll be there until it’s finished.’
Despite the injury bringing an end to his playing involvement at the tournament, Henderson is determined to remain with England for the rest of their World Cup campaign.
The veteran midfielder has played only six minutes at this tournament, yet he remains one of the most influential figures in Thomas Tuchel’s dressing room.
Henderson is set to meet up with his father and step-mother Donna when they travel to the USA next week.
Henderson fell awkwardly on his arm – ‘completely smashing it’ – when vaulting over a barrier
Henderson’s dad John, pictured after the 2019 Champions League final, said his fears grew when he saw his son being wheeled past on a trolley surrounded by medical staff
Henderson left the Azteca pitch on a stretcher and Thomas Tuchel said his issue is ‘really bad’
Moments before the fall Henderson, right, was arm-in-arm celebrating with his team-mates
England face Norway in the quarter-finals in Miami on Saturday after Erling Haaland’s side stunned Brazil to book their place in the last eight.
Henderson’s injury leaves England light in midfield, with Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson and Kobbie Mainoo now the remaining central options.
Manchester United’s Mainoo is yet to feature at the tournament.
Jude Bellingham, who scored twice in 98 seconds during England’s memorable win, said of Henderson’s injury post-match: ‘He’s in a bit of bother, but our medical team have got everything under control.
‘It’s probably best not to say too much when I don’t really know what was going on. But everyone was there to support him, and even that was a beautiful thing to see.’
Tuchel meanwhile suggested Henderson had hurt his wrist, telling the media: ‘It looks really bad.
‘It’s a quite serious injury, and it doesn’t fit to the evening that Jordan is now not with us. The doctor told me he is in hospital.’
