Henderson refuses to rule out World Cup semi-final return after arm broken in post-match celebrations

Jordan Henderson has refused to rule out featuring in England’s World Cup semi-final after breaking his left forearm in a freak accident during the celebrations that followed their last-16 victory over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca.

The Brentford midfielder, who was an unused substitute in the 3-2 win, slipped while attempting to leap over an advertising board after the final whistle and landed awkwardly. Team-mates gathered around him as medics rushed to his aid, with Henderson given oxygen before being stretchered away.

His father described the forearm as “completely smashed”, and Henderson subsequently underwent successful surgery. Despite widespread expectation that he would be sent home, he returned to the England camp in Kansas City and was included in the squad for the quarter-final against Norway — though he was not expected to feature.

“It’s alright, not my finest hour, main job was to go there and win,” Henderson said. “That’s the main thing. A tough couple of days, as soon as I came back, the lads, a great medical team, the doctors and surgeons were amazing, delighted to be part of the squad again today.”

FIFA regulations permit players to wear protective equipment, including a cast, provided it is made of soft, lightweight padded material and deemed non-dangerous. Henderson was spotted on the pitch in Miami helping team-mates warm up before the Norway match, wearing a white cast on his left arm.

Asked about the prospect of playing in a semi-final or final, Henderson was measured but left the door open. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” he said, adding that he remained confident England could progress: “The best version of ourselves, I’m confident we can go through.”

Henderson had already made history at this tournament, coming off the bench against Panama to become the first England player to appear at four World Cups. While his primary value to Gareth Southgate’s squad has been as a dressing-room leader rather than a regular starter, another appearance on the pitch now appears a genuine possibility should England advance.