Downing out of US tour

Stewart Downing has been forced to withdraw from England's two-game tour of the United States because of a jarred knee.

The Middlesbrough winger suffered the setback in England's first training session in Chicago yesterday ahead of Saturday's international with the United States at the Soldier Field Stadium.

Downing hobbled out of the session and underwent a scan and now the 20-year-old is to fly home.

Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has no plans to call in a replacement for Downing as he has another natural winger at his disposal in Kieran Richardson.

FA spokesman Adrian Bevington said: "Downing had a scan which showed a jarred knee. He will be taking no further part in the tour and will return home on Thursday afternoon."

Downing had been looking to stake his claim for a regular spot in Eriksson's plans as part of what is already a shadow squad given the absence of so many first-team regulars.

His only cap to date came as a substitute in the friendly international with Holland at Villa Park in February.