Everton's Dan Gosling _300
DAN GOSLING’S first England under-21 call-up has come at a price.
The 19-year-old’s selection for the European Under-21 Championship double-header against Portugal and Lithuania has come because team-mate Jack Rodwell has become the latest victim of the club’s injury curse.
Rodwell has withdrawn from the international squad with a groin strain, but Everton medical staff believe that the problem is minor.
“A scan has confirmed that Jack has a minor groin strain,” confirmed Everton head physio Mick Rathbone.
He will remain at Finch Farm for treatment while close pal and team-mate Gosling replaces him.
The fact that he is effectively in the national squad at the expense of Rodwell isn’t lost on Gosling.
“Football is funny like that,” he said. “When a chance comes along you have to grab it and on this occasion it’s come with an injury to one of my best mates.
“It's unfortunate but when you get your chance in football you have to grab it.
