FIFA World Cup 2014: Oxlade-Chamberlain in line for Uruguay return

Rio De Janeiro: England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could return from injury in time for his side's second World Cup game against Uruguay, manager Roy Hodgson revealed on Tuesday.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, 20, damaged ligaments in his right knee during a friendly against Ecuador last week, but he trained wearing a protective brace on Monday.           

Although he is expected to miss England's opening Group D match against Italy in Manaus on Saturday, Hodgson is hopeful that the Arsenal man will be available to face Uruguay in Sao Paulo on June 19.                  

"Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain did very well," Hodgson told a press conference at England's Urca training base in Rio de Janeiro. "You may have seen the running he was doing — very positive. He was running so well and so fast and we will be stepping up his recovery in due course.            

"We are hoping (he will be back) for Uruguay, but there's no guarantee." Hodgson also allayed fears about the fitness of captain Steven Gerrard, who cut short his training session on Monday after complaining of tightness in his groin. "There is nothing wrong with Steven Gerrard," Hodgson said.