Smalling is ruled out of Euro 2012

NEW England manager Roy Hodgson suffered a blow yesterday with the news that Manchester United defender Chris Smalling will miss this summer’s Euro 2012 Championship finals because of a groin injury.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed the news yesterday morning after Smalling suffered the injury during last week’s win over Swansea at Old Trafford.

“Chris has suffered a bad injury,” said Ferguson. “It is a groin muscle injury and he will miss the European Championship. We are assessing what to do at the moment but it is a bad injury.”

The injury could threaten Smalling’s participation in the Olympics, for which he is also available.

Ferguson confirmed Danny Welbeck would be available for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine, even though he will miss tomorrow’s trip to Sunderland with an ankle injury.

“He is still out just now but he should be fit for the Euros,” Ferguson said.