Welbeck out for 9 months with knee injury, to miss Euro 2016

England’s forward Danny Welbeck. AFP FILE PHOTO

LONDON — England forward Danny Welbeck will miss the European Championship after being ruled out for nine months by Arsenal on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) because of a knee injury.

Arsenal said Welbeck has had surgery on his right knee after scans showed Welbeck sustained “significant cartilage damage” when he attempted a tackle during the English Premier League game against Manchester City on Sunday (Monday Manila time).

The 25-year-old Welbeck only returned to action in February after 10 months out with a left knee injury.

He was expected to be one of five forwards selected by England coach Roy Hodgson for Euro 2016, which runs from June 10-July 10. He might even have been a starter on the left of a front three where he previously played and impressed under Hodgson, scoring six goals during qualifying.

“I will be back stronger,” Welbeck said in a post on his Twitter account.

Welbeck had been in good form since his return, scoring five times — including winning goals against Leicester and Norwich.

Hodgson is scheduled to announce his 23-man England squad on Monday. Aside from Welbeck, fellow Arsenal forward Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also out of contention because of injury while Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has just returned to outdoor training after a knee ligament injury.

Jack Wilshere has only recently returned to first-team action with Arsenal after missing most of the season because of injury.

Theo Walcott or Andros Townsend could benefit from Welbeck’s injury, with both wingers having appeared to be struggling to make the squad.