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Why England striker missed training following Senegal victory


Gareth Southgate ponders England World Cup 2022 squad selection

England have been handed a blow as Callum Wilson missed England training after their 3-0 win over Senegal, throwing his availability against France into doubt.

The Newcastle striker has suffered with injuries throughout his career, but remained fit enough for Gareth Southgate to name him among the 26 players taken to Qatar, and he provided an assist on his only appearance to date, during the 6-2 win over Iran.

However, he was forced to sit out of England’s post-victory training session on Monday, which involved the players who had played less than 45 minutes in their comprehensive victory over the African Champions.

Sky Sports report that this is due to a ‘minor strain’, which leaves his availability for the remainder of the tournament unclear. The Three Lions take on reigning champions France in the quarter-finals of the competition on Saturday, before a potential semi-final on Wednesday and a final, should they get there, on Sunday evening.

Gareth Southgate is already without two of his squad for the tie. Ben White has flown home for personal reasons, and will not return to the training camp before the end of the competition.

Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling has also returned home, with his family having been the victims of a robbery on Saturday evening.

“Sometimes football isn’t the most important thing and family should come first”, Southgate said when asked about the situation.

“We want to give him that space and we will see over the next few days how that develops”, he added.

A police statement on the situation read:

“We are currently investigating a report of a burglary at an address in Oxshott, Leatherhead.

“The occupants of the property came home and discovered a number of items, including jewellery and watches, had been stolen. Enquiries to establish the circumstances are under way and the investigation is ongoing.

“No threat of violence was involved as the items were discovered stolen retrospectively.”

Should he not return for the clash with Les Blues, Southgate would be left to choose between Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish for his wingers.

Read more:

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Ben Browning

Ben Browning

Football writer and analyst. Long-time writer of all things Arsenal and avid watcher of European football. Happy to discuss all things football over on Twitter.


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