Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gave Roy Hodgson a major boost by training with a ball for the first time since tearing his medial knee ligament. The England flyer began ball work during the national team's training session in the Arena de Amazon on Friday evening. Oxlade-Chamberlain damaged right knee ligaments during the 2-2 draw with Ecuador in Miami last Wednesday. VIDEO Scroll down for England v Italy World Cup Group D preview . On the run: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain continues his recovery at the Arena da Amazonia in Manaus . Up and running: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is put through his paces as England train in Rio . The Arsenal midfielder feared his World Cup would be over, but England have since learned that it was only a minor grade one tear. Instead his rehabilitation is almost complete and Hodgson believes he is in contention for Thursday's Group D clash with Uruguay.
Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered medial knee ligament damage in last week's 2-2 draw with Ecuador . He is making rapid progress having initially been ruled out for three weeks . He could return for England's second group game against Uruguay .