Injury forces Southgate favourite to withdraw from England squad

Raheem Sterling has withdrawn from the England squad for the internationals with Spain and Switzerland due to injury, the FA has confirmed.

Manchester City forward Sterling has suffered a back problem, according to a statement from the Football Association.

Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions host Spain in the UEFA Nations League at Wembley on Saturday, before taking on the Swiss in a friendly at Leicester’s King Power Stadium three days later.

Manager Southgate, who celebrated his 48th birthday on Monday, does not plan to call up a replacement.

The remaining 21 players in the squad are due to train for the first time on Tuesday morning at St. George’s Park.

Sterling has scored twice in three Premier League appearances for City so far this season, including the opener in Saturday’s victory over Newcastle.

The 23-year-old has won 44 caps for his country, scoring twice, and made six appearances at the World Cup in the summer as England reached the semi-finals.

 

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