Surgery set to rule Spurs winger Andros Townsend out of World Cup

England, who are 28/1 shots with Coral to win the World Cup, look set to be without Tottenham winger Andros Townsend for the finals in Brazil, after his club announced he requires surgery to repair damaged ankle ligaments.

The 22-year-old sustained the injury after appearing as a substitute in Spurs’ 1-0 victory at Stoke City in their last outing, and is likely to be out for up to 10 weeks. Townsend left the Britannia Stadium with a protective boot on, and a subsequent MRI scan revealed the extent of the damage.

Enduring nine different loan spells before breaking into the Tottenham first-team, Townsend has made 33 appearances in all competitions this term, scoring twice and producing five assists. He has five senior Three Lions caps.

Townsend announced himself on the international stage in qualifying, by scoring a stunning third goal on his debut in the 4-1 Wembley win against Montenegro. He will join Arsenal counterpart Theo Walcott in missing the World Cup finals if the prognosis is correct.

Coral have reacted to this news by shortening the odds for Southampton skipper Adam Lallana, and Liverpool teenager Raheem Sterling, both making England’s 23-man squad for Brazil, which will be announced on May 12th to 1/8. Manchester City’s James Milner, meanwhile, is into 1/4, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of the Gunners is 2/7.

There may now be no Spurs presence on Roy Hodgson’s roster at all, because understudy right back Kyle Walker has been sidelined for several weeks with hips and groin problems. Everton youngster John Stones (10/1), and Manchester United Phil Jones (4/9) and Chris Smalling (1/2) can all cover this berth behind first-choice Glen Johnson (1/5).

Another of Townsend’s Tottenham teammates Aaron Lennon is a relative outsider to make Brazil in his stead at 5/1. Defenders Michael Dawson (14/1) and Danny Rose (25/1) appear to be reliant on an injury crisis to force their way into Hodgson’s plans for the World Cup now.