We haven’t seen England football fans this upset since Luke Young retired from international duty.
Glen Johnson, the Stoke right-back who we definitely didn’t all assume had retired at the end of last season, has pulled out of the England squad through injury.
BREAKING: @glen_johnson withdraws from @England squad due to injury. #SSNHQ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 4, 2016
Johnson was a popular selection for the squad to face Malta and Slovenia, with many backing Gareth Southgate for making the right choice.
I can't even think who the fuck Southgate might even have been trying to pick before autocorrect switched it for Glen Johnson.
— Chris (@chrs00) October 2, 2016
15 minutes on and I'm still convinced there must be another Glen Johnson who's eligible for England
— Tom Victor (@tomvictor) October 2, 2016
And supporters are distraught to see the *double-checks* Stoke man forced to pull out with injury.
https://twitter.com/Huuurrley/status/783223664724545536
https://twitter.com/sirnathaniel86/status/783223617622605824
thank fuck for that
— Scott (@CaptainScott87) October 4, 2016
There has been some speculation as to the nature of the injury, with apparent insiders and ITKs offering up their two cents.
https://twitter.com/Jamienicholas01/status/783227284954243072
https://twitter.com/AranNicolWHUFC/status/783228086095675393
And others are just grateful that Johnson’s the only one ruled out. After all, how could Southgate’s team cope if they lost another one of their star men?
Wish Rooney would get injured to, he's crap. Every1 lives in the past where rooneys concerned, especially these pundits.
— 👊waylow83👊 (@waylow1983) October 4, 2016
Michael Keane has been called up as Johnson’s replacement, despite fans offering a wide range of alternatives to the Burnley man.
Graeme Le Saux has been called up as he's replacement
— Sevs (@ASevs6) October 4, 2016
Roger Johnson to replace him
— Jack Bennett (@jbennett1997) October 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/richardgribbin/status/783223694944600064
England face Malta on October 8 before travelling to Ljubljana for an away qualifier against Slovenia three days later.
Supporters are hoping the defender’s injury is only a short-term thing, however, and that he’ll be fit and firing in time to represent his country during the November international break.
https://twitter.com/IPheelz/status/783228684983500800
A thoroughly deserved call up to the @England squad for Michael Keane. Glen Johnson shouldn't have been in it in the 1st place!
— Kev McGhee (@Kev7McGhee) October 4, 2016
Glen Johnson shouldn't get in Moldova's team never mind f*cking England's
— Reilly (@reillyohagan96) October 3, 2016
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