June 21 (UPI) — England manager Gareth Southgate is dealing with a dislocated shoulder, an injury he suffered while jogging in Russia during a World Cup off day.
Southgate, 47, was running near England’s World Cup base in Repino during the scheduled off day from training, according to the FA. He was later treated at a nearby hospital under supervision by team doctor Rob Chakraverty.
The coach conducted a team meeting Wednesday with his right arm in a sling.
“It is better this is me than one of the players,” Southgate said, according to the FA.
“They were a bit surprised in the team meeting and were asking ‘what have you been doing!?’ — as always, they were probably quite amused.”
The team offered a separate injury update on Tuesday regarding star Dele Alli. The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder underwent a scan and has a slight thigh strain. England said that the issue would be “managed over the coming days.”
The Telegraph and Evening Standard published photos of England assistant Steve Holland holding a chart of England’s team on the field on Thursday. The chart showed Ruben Loftus-Cheek in for Alli. It also showed Marcus Rashford replacing Raheem Sterling at the forward spot.
England beat Tunisia 2-1 in its World Cup opener on Monday in Volgograd.
Southgate took over as England’s senior team manager in 2016. He enjoyed a playing career from 1988 to 2006 for Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough and had 57 caps for England. He also scored twice for the national team.
“We are lucky we have a top-class medical team around us, so it was fine,” Southgate said. “The doctor has made it clear that punching the air is now out of the question.”
Southgate was Middlesbrough manager from 2006 to 2009, before moving on to England’s U21 squad.
England battles Panama in its second Group G game at 8 a.m. Sunday at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
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