London: Tottenham Hotspur’s prolific striker Harry Kane leads a host of stars who have withdrawn from England’s injury-hit squad for prestigious friendlies against World Cup holders Germany and five-time winners Brazil.
Kane withdrew from the initial 25-man squad on Monday night due to a knee injury, followed by his Spurs team mate, midfielder Harry Winks, who limped out with an ankle problem, bringing the absentees from the club to three as Dele Alli had already pulled out.
The Football Association on Tuesday said Raheem Sterling, Fabian Delph and Jordan Henderson became the latest withdrawals. Gareth Southgate’s men kick off their World Cup preparations with back-to-back Wembley matches against the international heavyweight teams over the coming week.
“Manchester City duo Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph have returned to their club after being ruled out of England’s forthcoming fixtures,” a statement from the FA said. “Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson will also miss out on the back-to-back games against Germany and Brazil at Wembley Stadium through injury.”
Henderson had been due to arrive at St George’s Park — England’s training base — later in the week after missing Liverpool’s win against West Ham with a thigh problem. City winger Sterling is out with a back complaint and Delph injured his calf in Sunday’s win against Arsenal.
Southgate has already named Michael Keane and Jake Livermore as replacements. More faces will likely be drafted in by the England boss ahead of Friday’s friendly against Germany, with the FA announcing “a further squad update will be issued in due course” but Chelsea defender Gary Cahill is set to train on Tuesday.
England, who play Brazil on November 14, are already missing Adam Lallana, Danny Welbeck, Nathaniel Chalobah, Tom Heaton and Ross Barkley. Southgate had plumped for a bold squad for the last matches of 2017, with Tammy Abraham, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Joe Gomez called up for the first time as Daniel Sturridge, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Chris Smalling were overlooked.
