The FA has revealed that Manchester United’s Harry Maguire, Manchester City’s Kyle Walker, and Crystal Palace’s Sam Johnstone have all withdrawn from England’s senior team due to injury.
Walker was replaced barely 20 minutes into England’s friendly defeat to Brazil at Wembley Stadium on Saturday evening, and Gareth Southgate revealed after the game that the full-back would be evaluated in the “coming days.” The England stalwart has returned to Manchester City for the evaluation.
Maguire, another experienced defender, was also taken off in the defeat, leaving in the 67th minute. The Manchester United centre-back had lately faced with an injury worry, but was assessed fit to play against Brazil. Maguire, like Walker, has been sent back to his club to determine the nature of his latest injury.
In their absence, along with Johnstone’s, manager Southgate has called up Rico Lewis and James Trafford from the under-21 squad.
Lewis has appeared for the senior squad once before, against North Macedonia in November, and Trafford could make his senior debut against Belgium at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday.
Trafford has struggled for form at club level in recent years, having been dropped by Burnley in recent weeks, but he has consistently performed well at underage level for England for several years.
Along with Maguire, Walker, and Johnstone’s absences, Southgate will also be without star forwards Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka, both of whom missed the defeat to Brazil due to injuries.
