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Furious West Ham are ready to sue the Football Association after Stewart Downing was allegedly played by England having had a painkilling injection in his knee.

The Upton Park club are understood to be in the “very early stages” of trying to ascertain the full chain of events.

The FA dispute the timing of the jab and maintain it was NOT given to the winger to get him through the first half of last Tuesday’s game against Scotland.

But Mirror Sport understands there is a very real possibility that the row could end up in court.

A source said: “They have a duty of care towards our player.”

England boss Roy Hodgson held talks with Hammers manager Sam Allardyce on the evening of the Scotland match, while the national team's medical team has also spoken with their West Ham counterparts.

The Irons' hierarchy are upset because Downing was unable to play for them against Everton on Saturday.

They feel that had he not featured in that game in Glasgow, which England won 3-1, he would have been able to play in the Premier League at the weekend and help their bid to extend a five-match unbeaten run.

Scotland 1-3 England in pictures:

Without Downing, West Ham were beaten 2-1 at Goodison Park.

The 30-year-old midfielder is understood to have injured the knee in training 48 hours before England vs Slovenia on Saturday, 15 November.

He is believed to have warmed up for that match at Wembley, but did not play in it.

Although Downing has so far been arguably the most improved player this season, he was unable to make an impact against Scotland and was substituted at half-time.

An FA spokesman said on Monday night: “Our medical staff always work professionally and with the highest integrity. Player medical care is always our top priority”.