Sam Allardyce criticises England for playing 'injured' Stewart Downing

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has expressed his belief that England were wrong to play Stewart Downing in a friendly against Scotland last month.

The 30-year-old received a pain-killing injection in his knee by the Three Lions medical staff prior to playing 45 minutes in the 3-1 victory over Scotland.

"He shouldn't have played for England because he had been injected after getting a problem with his knee," The Express quotes Allardyce as saying.

"They did the injection. I don't think he should have played. It didn't do him any favours as he wasn't 100% fit."

When asked if he was unhappy with England's conduct regarding his player, Allardyce said: "No comment."

Downing scored the equaliser in Saturday's 1-1 draw to give West Ham a point.