Chris Smalling will not feature for England at Euro 2012 after picking up a groin injury during Manchester United’s recent victory against Swansea City.
The 22-year-old former Fulham defender will play no part in Sunday’s final Premier League game of the campaign at Sunderland, a match United are 10/1 with bookmaker to win.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed: “Chris has suffered a bad injury. It is a groin muscle injury and he will miss the European Championships.
“We are assessing what to do at the moment but it is a bad injury.”
Phil Jones will play alongside Rio Ferdinand at the heart of United’s defence at the Stadium of Light.
England are 10/1 to win this summer’s European Championships which are being held in Ukraine and Poland.