Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jack Grealish have withdrawn from the England squad because of injury, it has been announced.
The Liverpool defender and Manchester City forward were called up for the September internationals by Gareth Southgate last week.
They were in contention to play Ukraine in a Euro 2024 qualifier and Scotland in a friendly to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the very first international match.
But in a statement on Tuesday evening, it was confirmed that neither would be available: ‘The pair reported to St. George’s Park on Monday but have since withdrawn from the Three Lions squad following checks on injuries sustained prior to camp.
‘All other players are due as planned apart from Kieran Trippier who will arrive on Wednesday owing to a personal commitment.
‘There are no further call ups planned.’
Alexander-Arnold had to be subbed off after 71 minutes of Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
Speaking after the game, Jurgen Klopp said of the injury: ‘”Not too serious” is his [Alexander-Arnold’s] opinion, but we obviously have to wait for the scans and then we will know more.’
Thankfully for Southgate, he still has two great right-backs in Kyle Walker and Trippier to call on, but he has now missed the opportunity to continue trialling the Reds vice-captain in a midfield role.
As for Grealish, the 27-year-old missed City’s 5-1 thrashing of Fulham with a thigh injury, with stand-in manager Juanma Lillo admitting at the time that it was unlikely that he would be fit enough for England duty.
The Three Lions are not short of attacking options, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden battling for a place in the starting XI.
England are far clear at the top of their qualifying group for next summer’s Euros having won all four games so far, scoring 15 goals and conceding just once.
Both players will be hoping to get on the plane to Germany, though Southgate’s squad selections have continued to court controversy, most recently due to the selection of Grealish’s City teammate Kalvin Phillips.
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