LONDON: Midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been ruled out of the rest of the season and the World Cup finals by a knee injury which saw him carried off on a stretcher in the first half of Liverpool’s 5-2 Champions League semi-final first-leg victory over Roma on Tuesday.

The former Arsenal 24-year-old underwent a scan on Wednesday which revealed ligament damage which was then relayed to national team manager Gareth Southgate.

Oxlade-Chamberlain wrote in a Twitter post: “Absolutely devastated to have picked up that injury at such a crucial time in the season.

“Gutted I won’t be able to play any further part now in our Champions League run for Liverpool, and also the World Cup with England.

“But now it’s all about supporting the boys and getting behind them. I know we have what it takes to do something special in this tournament.”

A club statement said: “No specific timescale is being placed upon his return to action at this stage.

“However, Oxlade-Chamberlain will now begin a rehabilitation programme to enable him to reach full fitness again as soon as possible, returning to action next season.”

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