Sunday Mirror

PICK of the

- FROM STEVE BATES at the Samara Arena

HERO keeper Jordan Pickford injured his hand against Sweden – by hitting his own knee in frustratio­n.

But the 24-year-old Everton star is in no danger of missing England’s semi-final in Moscow, and declared: “I’m a man not a mouse.”

Pickford pulled off three stunning saves – days after his dramatic penalty shoot-out display against Colombia.

But after emerging from another jubilant England dressing room with his left hand heavily strapped, Pickford admitted his embarrassi­ng gaffe.

“It was a daft injury by myself,” he said.

“I went to punch the floor but ended up punching my knee and hurt my thumb.

“It was a bit of anger. But I’m a man not a mouse. I’m fine. I’ll live another day won’t I?”

Pickford is rapidly emerging as one of Gareth Southgate’s key stars at Russia 2018.

And the Three Lions needed all his agility and acrobatics to defy a Sweden team pushing desperatel­y for an equaliser after Harry Maguire’s 30th-minute opener.

Pickford first pulled off a breathtaki­ng save to deny Marcus Berg at the far post when the Swedish striker’s header looked a goal all the way.

Then after Dele Alli had put England 2-0 ahead, Pickford (right) was needed again to keep out efforts from Viktor Claesson and Berg again.

“It was a different type of game today but we don’t want to be going into a penalty shoot-outs every game,” he said.

“It’s my job to help the team when I’m called upon to make

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