Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has withdrawn from the England squad for their matches against Australia and Italy.
Saka has been struggling with a hamstring injury that he picked up during Arsenal’s defeat to Lens in the Champions League last week.
The winger was unable to train all last week and duly missed the Gunners’ 1-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed after the match that Saka would not be joining up with England for the upcoming international break.
But on Monday afternoon, the 22-year-old reported to St. George’s Park with the rest of the England squad.
He was assessed by the England medical team there and it was decided he would continue his rehabilitation at Arsenal.
England have decided not to call up a replacement and Gareth Southgate has a squad of 25 players to work with for their upcoming games. There had been a clamour for Chelsea’s in-form winger Raheem Sterling to be brought back into the fold.
The Three Lions will host Australia in a friendly on Friday at Wembley, before taking on Italy in a Euro 2024 qualifier on Tuesday.
Saka will return to Arsenal during that time and work on his rehabilitation from the hamstring injury that has troubled him.
The injury is not thought to be serious and there is optimism he will be fit to face Chelsea next week when the Premier League returns.
Arsenal are also hopeful that William Saliba will be fit for that match at Stamford Bridge on October 21. The centre-back has withdrawn from the France squad due to a toe injury.
