Sign up to FREE email alerts from Mirror - Arsenal FC Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is facing a desperate fight to make England’s squad for the World Cup after an injury setback, writes Dave Kidd of the Sunday People.

The Arsenal winger could be out until well into the New Year as the knee injury he suffered in his club’s defeat by Aston Villa on the opening day of the season is taking longer to heal than expected.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, 20, has now been told he cannot start training again until mid-December, meaning no comeback is likely until well into 2014.

With Mesut Ozil’s arrival making competition for places at the Emirates so keen there are worries he may not get enough first-team football to secure a place in Roy Hodgson’s squad for Brazil.

The Ox scored for England in their 2-2 draw in the Maracana last summer and boss Hodgson is a keen admirer. But Gunners supremo Arsene Wenger is spoilt for choice, with Jack Wilshere also struggling for first-team starts.

Even when he is fit the Ox is likely to be used sparingly by Wenger and now fears being sidelined for what would have been his first World Cup.