Chris' bravery in yesterday's Cup tie at Selhurst Park saw him throw himself at the feet of the onrushing Dele Adebola, sustaining a serious knee-ligament injury in the process.

With both the Senior and Under-21 sides due to face Australia and Italy respectively next month, it is an untimely blow for one of English goalkeeping's brightest prospects.

Speaking from Egypt where he's currently working with the England Under-18 squad as they contest the Meridien Cup, England goalkeeping caoch, Ray Clemence, told TheFA.com that he expects his young protege to bounce back.

 

"Obviously it's very disappointing news, for Chris, his club and from an England perspective too," explained the former Liverpool and England 'keeper.

"Chris has done excellently to make himself the number one at Liverpool and he is one of the best prospects that we have.

"We wish him well in his recovery and know him and his character well enough to be confident that he'll make a full recovery and come back to fulfil his enormous potential."

* England Under-18s won their first game in the Meridien Cup with a 3-2 defeat of Burkino Faso. England 3 Burkina Faso 2.

Goalscorers for England were Dorryl Proffitt (Man City) 21st min, Adam Eckersley (Man Utd) 25th min and David Raven (Liverpool) 94th Min - time added on. England's next match is today verses Mali.

Related article: Clemence keeps the faith

Daniel Freedman