Club unlikely to release Sancho

MUMBAI: Like Brazil, England may also have to do without their star player Jadon Sancho, who is yet to join the team in Mumbai for the preparatory camp.

The England players trained at the Andheri Sports Complex on Saturday with only 20 available. The winger, who moved from Manchester City to Borussia Dortmund this season, is yet to arrive.

England, who arrived on Thursday night, initially trained with just 19 members on Friday but Manchester United’s Angel Gomes arrived on Saturday morning.

The absence of Sancho, who was adjudged Player of the Tournament in the U-17 Euro, will be a blow for England.

According to British media, Dortmund are refusing to release the player. The Mirror reported: “Dortmund would like he remained in Germany as his Bundesliga registration came through last week and they want to integrate him into their first team. His new club claims he is not yet fit enough to go to the championships having only joined them on deadline day.”

On Saturday, Sancho was on Dortmund’s bench in their 2-1 win over Augsburg. When Hindustan Times asked England coach Steve Cooper and team manager Jenny Baker about Sancho’s arrival, both said all 21 members of the squad are in Mumbai.