Pickford ruled out of England squad
Burton-on-Trent (United Kingdom), Aug. 29: Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has withdrawn from England’s squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia due to injury, the Football Association announced on Tuesday.
The uncapped 23-year-old, who joined Everton in a £30 million ($38.9 million, 32.3 million euros) deal from Sunderland, has returned to his club for treatment on a muscular injury.
England manager Gareth Southgate has three other goalkeepers at his disposal in Joe Hart, Jack Butland and Tom Heaton, so has not drafted in a replacement.
“After discussions between England and Everton medics, it was decided it was in the player’s best interests to return to Finch Farm (Everton’s training ground) for further treatment.”
England, who top their World Cup qualifying group, play Malta in Ta’Qali on Friday before hosting Slovakia at Wembley on Monday.
VAZQUEZ IN FOR VITOLO Madrid: Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez was called into the Spain squad for crucial World Cup qualifiers against Italy and Liechtenstein on Monday after Vitolo was forced to withdraw with a knee injury.
Atletico Madrid winger Vitolo, who is on loan at Las Palmas until January, has been a key player for Spain since Julien Lopetegui took charge just over a year ago, scoring four times in five games in qualifying.
“Yesterday (Sunday) morning in training, the player suffered a strain in the medial collateral ligament of his knee,” the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said in a statement.
Vazquez has three international caps, but his only appearance in a competitive fixture came when Italy beat Spain 2-0 at Euro 2016.
Spain will be looking for revenge when they host the Azzurri at Real’s Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday with both sides locked together on 16 points at the top of Group G of European qualifying.
La Roja travel to Liechtenstein on September 5.