Overview
- Spence suffered a fractured lower jaw in a Premier League match in May after a reported elbow by Chelsea striker Liam Delap, and he finished that game before scans confirmed the break.
- Five days after the injury he first wore a bespoke protective jaw guard for Tottenham and then trialled the device in England’s pre‑World Cup friendlies.
- The custom‑moulded, reported carbon‑fibre guard has been used in match action for England, including a late cameo against Croatia and a start against Ghana, and Spence says it is uncomfortable but necessary.
- Spence chose to postpone immediate surgery so he could play in the tournament and England’s medical staff expect roughly three months for full bone healing with the guard worn during that period.
- The decision to play has immediate practical effects for clubs and players because Spence’s world‑cup starts triggered contractual payments to his former club and leave managers tracking his recovery and risk over the coming months.