England Hit by Injuries: Walker and Maguire Withdraw from Squad

England’s preparations for their upcoming fixtures have been dealt a significant blow as Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire have been forced to withdraw from the squad due to injuries. The English Football Association (FA) announced the news, revealing that both players will return to their respective clubs for further assessment.

The Injuries:

• Kyle Walker: The England captain for the clash against Brazil was substituted in the 20th minute after appearing to injure his hamstring while making a crucial goal-line clearance. Manager Gareth Southgate expressed uncertainty about the severity of Walker’s injury, stating that more information will be available in the coming days.
• Harry Maguire: Maguire played until the 67th minute before being replaced in the game against Brazil. His withdrawal adds to the defensive concerns for England ahead of their upcoming fixtures.

Additional Setbacks:

The absence of Walker and Maguire compounds the challenges already faced by Southgate, with Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka having withdrawn from the squad earlier due to injuries. Kane, despite joining the squad, has returned to his club for recovery, ruling him out of England’s friendly against Belgium.

Saka, who arrived at the camp with an injury, was unable to participate in training sessions and subsequently left the camp last week.

Squad Adjustments:

To fill the void left by the injured players, Manchester City’s Rico Lewis and uncapped Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford have been called up to the senior squad from the under-21 team. This elevation provides an opportunity for the young talents to showcase their abilities on the international stage.

Conclusion:

England’s preparations for their upcoming fixtures have been disrupted by the spate of injuries, highlighting the unpredictability and challenges associated with international football. With key players sidelined, Southgate will need to rely on the depth of his squad as they navigate through their upcoming matches.

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FAQs

1. Which players have withdrawn from the England squad due to injuries?

• Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire have both withdrawn from the England squad due to injuries. Walker sustained a hamstring injury during the match against Brazil, while Maguire’s injury forced him off the field during the same game.

2. How serious are the injuries to Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire?

• The severity of Kyle Walker’s hamstring injury is yet to be determined, with manager Gareth Southgate stating that further assessment will be needed. As for Harry Maguire, details about the extent of his injury have not been disclosed.

3. Who has been called up to replace the injured players in the England squad?

• To address the absences of Walker and Maguire, Manchester City defender Rico Lewis and uncapped Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford have been called up from the under-21 team to join the senior squad. These additions aim to bolster the squad’s depth in light of the recent injuries.

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