Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling has withdrawn from England’s squad for the matches against Spain and Switzerland due to a back injury. The Football Association announced his withdrawal from the squad and reports suggest that England are not planning to name a replacement for Sterling.
Sterling has started three matches of City’s four matches this season, scoring a fine goal against Newcastle United. The 23-year old started 6 of England’s 7 matches at the World Cup and his exclusion paves the way for Marcus Rashford to be a starter for England’s matches.
Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck is another forward option for England. However, looking at the landscape of England’s World Cup campaign and how the Premier League has gone so far, it is highly likely that Rashford will get a starting place ahead of Welbeck despite the latter scoring a goal in the Premier League so far. Welbeck has played only two Premier League matches, both as a substitute. Rashford on the other hand, has been a regular starter for Manchester United this season.
England play their UEFA Nations League opener against Spain at Wembley before playing Switzerland at Leicester.
