Liverpool’s Joe Gomez in action. Photo: Reuters

LONDON: Liverpool defender Joe Gomez will miss the Champions League final this month after undergoing surgery on his ankle, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old, who made his England debut last year, will also not be fit for the World Cup in June.

Gomez injured his ankle while on international duty with England in March, and his recent Premier League games against West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City aggravated the problem.

He was not part of Liverpool’s squad for their Champions League semi-final second leg against AS Roma last week and also missed their weekend league defeat at Chelsea.

“Liverpool can confirm Joe Gomez has undergone an operation on an ankle injury,” the club said in a statement.

Gomez should be ready for the start of Liverpool’s pre-season training schedule in July, it added.

Gomez has played regularly under England manager Gareth Southgate since making his international debut against Germany last November.

His absence will be a blow for his country, given Southgate’s preferred tactic of employing a three-man central defence.

“Gutted to confirm that my season for both club and country is over having undergone successful ankle surgery,” Gomez wrote on his Instagram account.

“Been a tough few weeks trying everything possible to be available on the pitch to help the team.

“I’m going to do all I can to get back and be in the best possible shape for pre season. The focus now is to support the team in the two biggest games of the season!”

Third-placed Liverpool host Brighton and Hove Albion in their last match of the Premier League season on Sunday. They then play Real Madrid in the Champions League final on May 26.

The post Liverpool’s Gomez to miss Champions League final after ankle surgery appeared first on The Himalayan Times.

England’s Mark Wood celebrates after taking a wicket. Photo: Reuters

LONDON: England fast bowler Mark Wood has returned home from the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) to play for Durham in a bid to keep his place in the test side, the 28-year-old has said.

Wood played for the Chennai Super Kings in their opening win against champions Mumbai Indians but was not picked in their next nine matches.

“The decision has been made for me to return home to England to prepare for the English summer,” Wood wrote in an Instagram post.

“Having worked so hard to get back in the test team, and because I’m not currently in the CSK side, I am coming home to play for Durham to hopefully put my name in the hat for test match selection.”

Wood has played 11 tests for England, the last against New Zealand at Christchurch from March 30-April 3, and has taken 28 wickets.

He will be available for Durham’s County Championship match against Derbyshire this week and will hope to make the England squad for the two-test series against Pakistan starting later this month.

“It’s a massive boost to have Mark available for Friday. On the occasions we’ve had him available to play for us over the last few years, he’s made some great contributions,” Durham head coach Jon Lewis said in a statement.

“He comes back to us with a big point to prove and is eager to nail down his spot in the England test side.

“The IPL didn’t give him the playing opportunities he would have liked but he has still learnt from great players and this is a move which suits all parties.”

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