​KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — England midfielder Jordan Henderson rejoined the national team at their World Cup camp on Wednesday after undergoing wrist surgery stemming from a freak accident he suffered while celebrating their Round of 16 win over Mexico last weekend. The 36-year-old posted a photo on social media showing his left arm in a wrap following the procedure at the Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute, located roughly 10 minutes from the squad’s hotel in Prairie Village, Kansas.
“Surgery done!” Henderson wrote. “Now let’s get ready for the big one Saturday.”
Henderson, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament, had served as an unused substitute for England’s Sunday outing against Mexico at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The Three Lions had just edged to a 3-2 victory to advance to a quarterfinal against Norway when the injury occurred as he climbed over an advertising board in the stadium.
“I’m sad because Jordan injured his wrist,” England manager Thomas Tuchel said after the match. “It’s quite serious.”
Henderson was carried off the field on a stretcher and stayed in Mexico City while the rest of England’s players returned to their base camp in Kansas City, Missouri. He later returned to the United States and underwent wrist surgery.
The midfielder’s sole World Cup appearance of the year came in the group stage, when he entered as a substitute against Panama. That appearance marked his 91st cap, making Henderson the first England player to feature in four different World Cup tournaments.
“Time goes very quickly,” Henderson said at the time in East Rutherford, New Jersey. “It’s very special to represent my country in four World Cups, so I’m just delighted to be a part of this team. It’s still as special now as when I made my debut in 2010. Time passes quickly, but I’m just glad I can help the team as much as possible, both on and off the field, and do everything I can to help us reach our goals.”
England’s World Cup journey has seen its share of ups and downs. The team did not advance beyond the group stage in 2014, finished third in 2018 after beating Belgium in the third-place match, and were eliminated by France in the quarterfinals four years ago in Qatar. The national side’s only World Cup title remains their famous 1966 victory over West Germany.
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