Stewart Downing refuses to let his injury past stop him from getting stuck in

Oct 12 2010 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

STEWART Downing is ready for England duty after admitting his serious injury no longer worries him during the blood and thunder of top-class football.

Downing’s encouraging early-season form has been rewarded with a Three Lions recall for tonight’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley.

The 26-year-old winger was a late addition to Fabio Capello’s squad after Tottenham wide-boy Aaron Lennon withdrew with a back injury over the weekend.

And Downing, who was laid low with a fractured foot a year ago after signing for Villa on crutches, insists his own injury woes no longer play on his mind.

The former Middlesbrough favourite has been a virtual ever-present for the claret and blues since recovering ahead of schedule for his debut last November.