Downing facing fitness battle

Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing is a doubt for England’s two matches in the United States after suffering a jarred knee in training.

Downing sustained the setback shortly before the end of England’s first session in Chicago ahead of Saturday’s international with the host nation at the Soldier Field Stadium.

He immediately went to the sidelines and took no further part in proceedings and his condition is being assessed by the England medical team.

A decision on whether Downing will recover in time for the weekend game plus next Wednesday’s clash with Colombia in New Jersey will be taken in the next 24 hours.

Downing, who is regarded as one of England’s brightest hopes for the future, is looking to add to the one cap he has already won in February’s friendly international with Holland at Villa Park.

But England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is unlikely to risk the 20-year-old if it means he could aggravate his current condition.

Eriksson is expecting Liverpool reserve keeper Scott Carson to join up with the squad today after being part of the Liverpool squad which gained a dramatic win over AC Milan on penalties in the Champions League final in Istanbul.

Nineteen-year-old Carson, who made the switch from Leeds to Anfield mid-way through the season, has 11 Under-21 caps to his name.