Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Kyle Walker will not be involved in England’s World Cup qualifier against San Marino.
Arsenal teenager Saka has yet to link up with the group due to a hamstring issue, but England boss Gareth Southgate hopes he can join up after Thursday’s match.
Rashford has been with the squad but failed to train with the main group due to a foot complaint, with Southgate saying he was “more doubtful” than Saka to be involved in this month’s World Cup qualification triple-header.
FEATURE: Ten unique England XIs that would deliver Euro 2020 glory
England had to cut their 26-man squad to 23 players for Thursday’s opener and experienced right-back Walker has been omitted from the squad published by UEFA.
The PA news agency understands the defender is fit, with his absence presumably down to Southgate keeping fitness and rotation in mind.
Meanwhile, Southgate has insisted that whether England take the knee or not, the squad will be “unified” with the decision they make.
“I have spoken with the leadership team about this last night and I’ve asked them to talk to the other players,” he said when asked if they would take the knee on Thursday.
“I think it’s a good process to hear each other’s views, first and foremost. That’s part of how we educate ourselves on all of these issues.
“The one thing we are clear on is that we’ll be unified on whatever we do and if there’s any doubt then I think we would take the knee.
“I’m hugely respectful of everyone’s individual opinions on that. I still think there is an impact to be had on it.
“But when I listen to Wilfried Zaha’s comments, for example, I thought he spoke really well and I totally understand why he felt that wasn’t enough now and it just seemed to be part of the background.
“Again, complicated. The debate around if we take the knee or not, or if we should walk off the pitch or not, they’re actually slightly peripheral things.
“The core problems are with racism and discrimination – they’re the deeper discussions that need to happen.
“The protests help put that conversation on the table but of course we’ve got to address the much deeper issues as much as we’ve got to make a symbolic gesture.”
The post Rashford among England trio to miss San Marino clash appeared first on Football365.