PHIL FODEN celebrated England’s win over Ukraine from a hospital bed.
That’s after beginning a four-week layoff following emergency appendix surgery.
Foden could miss the next month of Manchester City’s title challenge after going under the knife on Sunday.
The playmaker needed his appendix removed ahead of England’s 2-0 win at Wembley after feeling unwell.
But Foden looked to be in good spirits as he watched Gareth Southgate’s men record their second successive win in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
The four-time Premier League winner flashed a cheeky thumbs-up for the camera as captain Harry Kane collect an award for smashing England’s goal record.
And Foden also thanked family, friends and fans for their kind messages, with the midfielder facing around four weeks out.
Foden said: “Thank you for all the messages.
“Feeling much better already. I’ll be back soon.”
Foden, 22, was involved in training over the last few days and was in contention to play against Ukraine before he began to feel unwell.
But an England statement released just hours before kick-off read: “Phil Foden has been ruled out of this evening’s Uefa Euro 2024 qualifier with Ukraine following surgery to remove his appendix this morning.
“England manager Gareth Southgate has not called up a replacement, meaning he has 20 players to choose from after the earlier withdrawal of Reece James and Luke Shaw’s suspension.”
It has been an international week to forget for the winger after he was subbed on and then taken off against Italy – lasting just 12 minutes before being sacrificed for Kieran Trippier after Luke Shaw’s red card.
It is also a blow for City as Foden will likely be unavailable for their next clash against Liverpool on April 1.
Foden faces up to four weeks on the sidelines as he recovers so could miss the huge Champions League tie against Bayern Munich coming up, with games to be played on April 11 and 19.
The club showed their support for the star, tweeting: “We can confirm that Phil Foden has withdrawn from the England squad after undergoing surgery.
“Wishing you a speedy recovery, Phil.”
Leicester star James Maddison started the Euro 2024 qualifier in Foden’s place.
Southgate reportedly used Maddison in a front three alongside Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka in training earlier this week.
And he started alongside the pair in a front three at Wembley.
SOURCE: thesun.co.uk
