Season › 2013-14 › News

Gibson injury makes for mixed night for Blues

Darron Gibson suffered what looks to be medial knee ligament damage in only his second game back for the Republic of Ireland this evening.

The Everton midfielder was stretchered off 38 minutes into the Republic's World Cup 3-1 win over Kazakhstan and the severity of the injury will now be assessed by medical staff at Finch Farm.

Gibson has only just recovered from a knee problem that kept him out of action for the first five of the Blues' league games and this would appear to be a major setback.

There was another scare for the watching Roberto Martinez in the second half when James McCarthy went down injured but, thankfully, he was able to carry on. The Irish won their last qualifier but finished fourth in their group meaning they fail to qualify for the World Cup Finals next summer.

Meanwhile, Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines started again for England in their crucial Qualifier against Poland at Wembley, the fullback whipping in the cross from which Wayne Rooney headed home the opening goal. A Steven Gerrard strike with two minutes to go assured the Three Lions' passage to Brazil.

In Scotland, Steven Naismith was on the mark for Scotland as they beat Croatia 2-0. Nikica Jelavic was again on the bench for the Croats who still have a chance of making the Finals if they can win in the playoffs. Kevin Mirallas and Romelu Lukaku started for Belgium as they met Wales having already secured their place in Brazil on Friday. Aaron Ramsey's late strike secured a draw for Wales, 10 minutes after Mirallas had been withdrawn. Lukaku played the full 90 minutes.

Tim Howard, meanwhile, returned to Merseyside earlier than expected after being released by the United States. He won't be needed for the Americans' final game against Panama as they have already qualified from the CONCACAF region.

Bryan Oviedo's Costa Rica could join them with victory over Mexico in San Jose.

In the Under-21 bracket, John Stones played in England's 5-0 European Championship-qualifying hammering of Lithuania while Shane Duffy captained Ireland in their 1-0 defeat to Romania in the same competition.

 

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