Jordan Henderson’s father has detailed the shocking details of the midfielder’s freak injury after he “completely smashed” his forearm during the celebrations of England’s win over Mexico.
Henderson, an unused substitute in the 3-2 victory at Estadio Azteca, slipped when attempting to leap over an advertising board after the match and landed awkwardly, with medics urgently rushing over to his aid.
His concerned England team-mates gathered around him as he was treated, with Henderson given oxygen before being stretchered away.
Henderson’s father Brian has now provided more information on the gruesome injury, clarifying that it wasn’t just his wrist that had been broken, as was widely reported in the aftermath.
“It’s his left forearm – he’s just completely smashed it,” he told the Daily Mail.
“He’s going to have a cast on and then it depends on what the experts say.”
The accident has ruled Henderson out for the rest of the World Cup, with the 36-year-old Brentford star looking likely to miss the beginning of the Premier League season after undergoing surgery.
That does not mean that Henderson will be leaving the England camp and heading back home, however, with Brian confirming: “He won’t be leaving his team-mates. He’ll be there until it’s finished.”
England captain Harry Kane initially played down the severity of the incident in a post-match interview at the Azteca, telling the BBC: “Jordan just fell over there. I think he’s OK, just something to do with his arm.”
But as the stretcher was brought out, Brian realised that the injury to his son was much more serious than first thought and was now forced to play the agonising waiting game for updates on his wellbeing.
“At first I just thought he’d fallen,” he said. “I thought he’d maybe scraped his wrist.
“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 just a waiting game now.”
Henderson was not expected to play a significant role on the pitch for England during this World Cup, with his experience instead making him more valuable as a dressing room figure.
He nevertheless did feature for the Three Lions off the bench against Panama to become the first ever England player to play at four World Cups.
