September 4th 2023.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jack Grealish have been forced to withdraw from the England squad due to injury. The Liverpool defender and Manchester City forward were selected by Gareth Southgate last week for the September internationals, which included a Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine and a friendly to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the very first international match.
Unfortunately, in a statement released Tuesday evening, it was confirmed that neither would be available. Southgate revealed that the pair reported to St. George's Park but had to withdraw after checks on injuries they had sustained prior to the camp. Kieran Trippier was due to arrive later due to personal commitments.
Alexander-Arnold had to be subbed off after 71 minutes of Liverpool's 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. Jack Grealish missed Man City's win over Fulham due to a thigh injury, and it was deemed unlikely he'd be fit enough for England duty. Jurgen Klopp had said of Alexander-Arnold's injury, “Not too serious” is his opinion, but they had to wait for the scans to be certain.
Southgate still has Kyle Walker and Trippier to call on, but he has missed the opportunity to trial Alexander-Arnold in a midfield role. England are not short of attacking options, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden battling for a place in the starting XI.
England are far clear at the top of their qualifying group for next summer's Euros having won all four games so far, scoring 15 goals and conceding just once. Both Alexander-Arnold and Grealish will be hoping to get on the plane to Germany, but the squad selections have continued to court controversy, most recently due to the inclusion of Grealish's teammate, Kalvin Phillips.
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