Everton FC News: Fresh injury worry for Everton striker James Vaughan

Sep 7 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Daily Post

Everton FC News: FEARS are growing that Everton striker James Vaughan may have suffered a fresh injury blow.

The forward was named in the England under-21 squad to face Macedonia last Friday, but according to the official FA website pulled out “with a knee problem.”

The injury is unconfirmed by Everton, but Vaughan has failed to appear on the substitutes’ bench in their last two matches.

His only action so far this season came in the final eight minutes of the Europa League play-off first leg against Sigma Olomouc.

The 22-year-old has been plagued by a succession of unrelated injuries since he burst onto the Goodison scene as the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history in 2005.

He has suffered foot, shoulder and knee injuries, restricting him to just 49 appearances in four years.

Team-mate Jack Rodwell, however, did figure in the England Under-21 side which beat Macedonia 2-1, setting up an equaliser for Freddie Sears.

England head to Greece for another qualifier tomorrow.

James Wallace, who made his Everton debut as a substitute in the Czech Republic recently, will also be in international action tomorrow for England under-19s.

The English youngsters face Russia at the ProStar Stadium, Shrewsbury.

Wallace made his senior debut when he played the last 25 minutes of Everton’s recent 1-1 draw with Sigma Olomouc.

The Fazakerley-born youngster has been on the fringes of the first team squad since summer 2008 when he appeared in the friendly game against PSV Eindhoven.

He rates this latest milestone as his most significant yet.

“It meant a lot to me,” said.

“I was just absolutely delighted to make my first team debut in a competitive game.

“I had a feeling about it when I got taken off in the reserve game (two days before the Sigma game) with 15 minutes to go, I thought I could be in with a little shout.

“At the game Steve Round told me to warm up and I thought I could get on.

“I know I still have much to work on and I will keep going and keep working.

“I’ll keep playing for the reserves and keep pushing hard and hopefully I’ll make an appearance in the Premier League.”