Dawson out for eight weeks

Michael Dawson was today ruled out of action for up to eight weeks after spraining left knee ligaments and a left ankle ligament during his full England debut.

Dawson was carried off on a stretcher during last night’s European Championship qualifier for England against Bulgaria after his leg collapsed horribly beneath him early in the second half.

The freak incident appeared similar to that which saw Michael Owen sidelined for almost a year during the 2006 World Cup.

But scans today showed Dawson’s injury was not as serious as that, although he could be sidelined until the end of November.