Marcus Rashford goes off injured for Manchester United
Marcus Rashford goes off injured for Manchester United

When will Marcus Rashford return? Medical expert says Man Utd striker a doubt for England's Euro 2020 campaign


Despite Marcus Rashford being confident of returning before the end of the season, experts believe he's "touch and go" to make Euro 2020.

The Manchester United and England striker has predicted he will return from a stress fracture of the back before the end of the season, but medical opinion is that he could struggle to make Gareth Southgate's squad this summer.

With Harry Kane out and Tammy Abraham injured during Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Tuesday night, Southgate is facing a striker shortage heading into the summer.

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer initially said the 22-year-old, who suffered the injury in last week's FA Cup clash with Wolves, would be out for a minimum of six weeks before revising that to "a few months" on Tuesday.

Johnny Wilson, clinical director at 108 Harley Street, believes the forward is facing a race against time to be fit for England's Euro 2020 opener against Croatia at Wembley on June 14.

"In the Premier League there have been seven players over the last 10 years that have reported the same injury as Rashford," Wilson told the PA news agency.

"Their average return-to-playing timeframe was 133 days. Today the Euros are 142 days away, so it is touch and go. He has a chance but everything has to go right."

Lengthy rehab

Rashford's injury, of the vertebrae in the spine, is known a pars stress fracture. It is thought to be caused by repetitive stress on the lumbar region and can develop over time.

There have been reports that Rashford has actually suffered a double stress fracture.

Wilson said: "A unilateral fracture would be a fracture on either side of the vertebrae and a bilateral one would be the left side and the right side having fractured.

"It's a little bit more serious if it's a bilateral one because the vertebrae might be a little bit unstable and more prone to slipping forward, which can cause nerve impingement, sciatica or disc herniation.

"Ninety per cent of those guys will return to play pain-free within four months but for 10 per cent their recovery might not go so well. They may not respond to physiotherapy and conservative management and may still be left with pain.

"They will have to go on for surgical procedure, and then you're doubling the time."

Rashford confident of return

Rashford, though, believes he can be back before the summer, posting on social media that he hopes to be back playing for United before the season ends.

Responding to a message of support, Rashford tweeted: "Thanks guys, I'll be back before the season ends to hopefully help my team claim top 4."

He has scored 19 goals in all competitions this term and his absence will be a big blow as the team, currently fifth, look to claim a top-four place.

Follow Sporting Life on social media - find us on Facebook here or tweet @SportingLifeFC

Related football links

Like what you've read?

MOST READ FOOTBALL

Sporting Life
Join for free!
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Race Replays
My stable horse tracker
giftOffers and prize draws
newsExclusive content

FOOTBALL TIPS

We are committed to Safer Gambling and have a number of self-help tools to help you manage your gambling. We also work with a number of independent charitable organisations who can offer help and answers any questions you may have.
Gamble Aware LogoGamble Helpline LogoGamstop LogoGordon Moody LogoSafer Gambling Standard LogoGamban Logo18+ LogoTake Time To Think Logo