England look relaxed for Malta qualifier
TOTTENHAM right-back Kieran Trippier has withdrawn from the England squad for tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Malta due to injury.
Trippier had been absent as England trained in front of the media at St George’s Park on Tuesday, and was also missing from yesterday morning’s session.
The Football Association released a statement which said: “Kieran Trippier has left the England camp and returned to Tottenham.
“The right-back hasn’t trained all week at St George’s Park as he continued rehabilitation on an injury sustained playing for Spurs.
“With the England squad due to depart for Malta (yesterday), it was felt it was in the player’s best interests to return to his club.
“No replacements are planned at this moment in time and (England boss) Gareth Southgate will travel with a 26-man Three Lions group ahead of the World Cup qualifier.”
The only other man who was in the squad Southgate originally named for today’s match and Monday’s qualifier against Slovakia that will not travel to Malta is goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who pulled out earlier in the week because of a muscular injury.
Defender Phil Jones and midfielders Jake Livermore and Nathaniel Chalobah were all involved in yesterday’s session after sitting out Tuesday’s due to minor injuries.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looked relaxed as he took part shortly before the announcement of his transfer deadline-day switch from Arsenal to Liverpool.
The £35m Oxlade-Chamberlain had undergone a medical at St George’s Park in the build-up to the deal being completed.
Raheem Sterling, who had been linked with a switch from Manchester City to Arsenal, also looked at ease as he took part in training.
Speaking from the England camp, where he is preparing for the qualifiers, Oxlade-Chamberlain told the club’s website, www.liverpoolfc. com: “Firstly, I’m delighted to have signed for Liverpool and a big thank you to everyone here at the FA that has made this possible, using the facilities. It has been a massive help.
“I’m not going to say too much. I’m here with England and we’ve got two big games coming up, so I want to focus on them.”
The signing is Liverpool’s second of the week after a deal to bring in midfielder Naby Keita from Red Bull Leipzig next summer was completed.
He is the club’s fourth major arrival of this summer’s window after Mohamed Salah, Dominic Solanke and Andy Robertson. ■■Barnsley have announced chairman Maurice Watkins is to step down from his role at the club.
Watkins, a former director at Manchester United, was appointed at Oakwell by club owner Patrick Cryne in May 2013.