Ollie Watkins forced off in England clash vs Wales minutes after narrowly avoiding very nasty injury

ENGLAND striker Ollie Watkins was withdrawn at half-time after avoiding a potential horror injury.

The Aston Villa forward clattered into the woodwork in the 39th minute after trying to poke a pass home at the back post.

His leg and knee appeared to jam awkwardly in the collision, with his weight and momentum further wrenching on the joint.

The 29-year-old stayed alarmingly still in what appeared to be a serious injury to his leg.

Team medics rushed to the attacker’s side as teammates crowded around him in concern.

But the injury luckily proved not to be as severe as it first seemed, with Watkins standing and limping away from the scene.

He even staggered his way through the final minutes of the first half, but was clearly not at his best.

He was withdrawn for Marcus Rashford, the former England icon who has been enjoying a resurgence since leaving Manchester United on loan.

He has got off to a flyer with new club Barcelona, notching seven goal contributions in eight games in all competitions.

The England hierarchy will be pleased to see the potentially serious injury downgraded to a knock.

Watkins himself was only starting due to an injury to starting striker Harry Kane, who was ruled out of the heated international well before kick-off.

He had done well with his opportunity, poking home calmly at the back stick for England’s second goal of the evening.

That said, Kane will be the key to England’s attack under Thomas Tuchel, having notched 20 goals and assists in just nine matches in all competitions for German giants Bayern Munich this season.

Watkins has not found quite as much fortune in the Prem this year, having managed just the one goal for an Aston Villa that is struggling to get its attack firing on all cylinders under Unai Emery.

England went in at half-time leading 3-0 and that’s how it stayed after 90 minutes.