The left-sided attacker has flown back to England after picking up a knee injury in the first training session here in Chicago. While he admits it’s a blow, he’s determined to come back stronger than ever at the start of next season.

"It’s obviously a real shame," Stewart told TheFA.com before leaving the team hotel. "I saw this tour as a big opportunity for myself and was looking to play in one if not both of the games.

"My form had really picked up in the last couple of weeks of the season so I was coming into the tour in good shape. Then what was basically a freak accident has unfortunately ended my participation early.

"It happened in training in our first session. I just went to chip the ball to Phil Neville and my studs got caught in the ground. I was in pain and I knew something had happened because I couldn’t move my leg.

"I’m going on holiday to Barbados which I’m really looking forward to and then I’ll be looking to come back for pre-season stronger then ever.

"Next season is a really important one for me for club and, hopefully country. I’m looking to add more consistency to my game, I can’t wait to play in Europe again and I want to get on the scoresheet more often too."

If he achieves those aims, Sven might find it hard to resist Downing as an outlet down the left flank. Stewart, though, is taking things one step at a time.

"I’ll just be working hard and I’ll let Sven do the thinking," he says. "Obviously I’m looking at that game we have against Denmark in August – I’d love to be involved in that.

"Missing out in America is a shame but I’d say my mood is one of short term disappointment and long term determination."