Gareth Southgate has decided not to recall Raheem Sterling despite Jack Grealish withdrawing from the England squad.
Sterling was snubbed when Southgate named his 26-man squad last week, the first time he has not been included when fit and available since he was first selected in 2012, with the form of Grealish being cited as one reason why he was overlooked.
Grealish has now pulled out of the squad through injury, after missing Manchester City’s 5-1 win over Fulham on Saturday because of a thigh problem.
Also out is Trent Alexander-Arnold whose damaged hamstring is set to sideline him for around two weeks, meaning he will probably miss Liverpool’s first game after the international break away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Even so, Southgate has decided against replacing either player for the European Championship qualifier against Ukraine in Poland on Saturday’s and next Tuesday’s friendly away to Scotland. He will travel with a 24-man squad.
Sterling missed the last two international get-togethers – firstly through injury and then after asking to be excused in June because of a loss of form and fitness.
However the 28-year-old made himself available for selection last week only to be overlooked by Southgate who admitted the Chelsea attacker was unhappy with his decision in a phone call between the pair.
“I saw [Phil] Foden have an outstanding game for City, I saw [Marcus] Rashford involved in all three goals for [Manchester] United at the weekend when he was back wide. [Bukayo] Saka has started the season as he left off. Jack I saw setting up [Erling] Haaland for his goal the other day,” Southgate responded when asked whether Sterling was the most in-form wide player.
The latest snub will come as a bitter blow to Sterling who has been Chelsea’s most impressive performer in another difficult campaign so far for them.
