Cork over moon

GARETH Southgate has drafted in Burnley midfielder Jack Cork as the England injury crisis deepens ahead of the upcoming friendlies against Germany and Brazil.

The England manager has called up the former Swansea and Southampton man, 28, after Raheem Sterling, Fabian Delph and Jordan Henderson became the latest withdrawals from the group.

“I’m really, really happy. I haven’t really got the words for it. I’m looking forward to going to meet up,” Cork, who won 13 England Under-21 caps, said on Burnley’s website.

Southgate had already seen the likes of Tottenham trio Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Harry Winks forced out of the initial 25-man squad, so brought in Michael Keane and Jake Livermore as cover. England, though, received three further setbacks on Tuesday.

The spate of withdrawals have hit Southgate’s preparations for the two high-profile friendlies, against world champions Germany tomorrow and Brazil on Tuesday.

Henderson had been due to arrive at St George’s Park later in the week after missing Liverpool’s win against West Ham with a thigh problem.

City winger Sterling is out with a back complaint and Delph – last capped in November 2015 – injured his calf towards the end of Sunday’s win against Arsenal.

The only boost on the injury front ahead of the back-to-back Wembley friendlies has come in the shape of Chelsea defender Gary Cahill.

The 31-year-old was assessed by his club’s medical team after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat of Manchester United and was able to train on Tuesday afternoon.

Adam Lallana – England’s reigning player of the year – continues to be sidelined, and is joined by the likes of Danny Welbeck, Nathaniel Chalobah, Tom Heaton and Ross Barkley.