Southampton's Fraser Forster out for a year with fractured kneecap

ENGLAND are facing a potential goalkeeper crisis as it emerged Fraser Forster may not play again in 2015 after fracturing his kneecap.

Fraser ForsterReuters

Fraser Forster faces a lengthly spell on the sidelines

The Southampton goalkeeper underwent scans after suffering the injury in the weekend win over Burnley and is facing up to nine months on the sidelines.

The setback comes with West Brom stopper Ben Foster having been ruled out for the next six months with an anterior cruciate injury.

It leaves England one injury to Joe Hart away from a major headache with coach Roy Hodgson having stated that rookie Jack Butland is next in line.

Hart- Being dropped at City was difficult for me [AMBIENT]

Hodgson promoted Butland from the Under-21s for the games with Lithuania and Italy, along with QPR goalkeeper Rob Green, following the injuries to Foster and Forster, but his lack of game time at Stoke will be a concern.

Butland’s only senior cap came against Italy in Berne in August 2012, when he and John Ruddy played one half each, and the 22-year-old could now feature against the Azzurri in Turin on Tuesday.

Green’s only appearance since England’s opening game in 2010 World Cup when his mistake allowed Clint Dempsey to secure a draw for the USA came against Norway in May 2012 in Hodgson’s first game in charge.

The only other goalkeeper on England’s radar is Burnley’s Tom Heaton, who has been scouted by Hodgson’s staff. Southampton manager Ronald Koeman was braced for the worst on Forster, who has been an ever present in the league this season, and his fears were confirmed following medical tests. Forster was carried off in the 14th minute of the game at St Marys and Kelvin Davis is set to deputise.

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