Bukayo Saka has withdrawn from the England squad because of injury, while the captain, Harry Kane, is also a significant doubt for the friendly with Brazil on Saturday.
The development adds to Gareth Southgate’s problems, with the England manager already without a cluster of recognised players, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Luke Shaw and Jack Grealish.
Saka, the Arsenal forward, has been unable to train this week because he has been nursing an achilles issue in recent weeks and has now returned to Arsenal to continue his rehabilitation. The injury is not thought to be overly serious and Arsenal will hope that the 22-year-old is fit for Arsenal’s crucial next match away to title rivals Manchester City on March 31. England will not call up
