West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice won’t be available for the England gamesduring the current international break after he pulled out of the squad due to illness.
The England squad has been rocked with several withdrawals ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifying games against Albania and San Marino.
While Rice has pulled out of the squad for the two aforementioned matches, the availability of Chelsea star Mason Mount is still in doubt after dental surgery. Mount underwent dental surgery earlier this week and it has not been decided if he would link up with his national team colleagues.
England manager Gareth Southgate has not called up a replacement for West Ham Unitedstar Rice. Crystal Palace midfielder Conor Gallagher is the obvious candidate if Southgate decides to invite a replacement for Rice. However, Gallagher is expected to start for the England u-21 team against Czech Republic in a qualifier scheduled to take place at the Turf Moor on Thursday evening. Gallagher is on a season-long loan deal at Crystal Palace from Chelsea having joined the Eagles at the start of the season. He has four goals and two assists in the Premier League this season. His form has propelled Palace into the top half of the league table
Apart from Rice, the trio of James Ward-Prowse, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford will also miss the England games.
Southampton midfielder Ward-Prowse has pulled out of the England games due to illness. For Manchester United left-back Shaw, the England games will come too soon for him after he suffered concussion while he was in action for his team during the Manchester Derby on Saturday.Manchester United attacker Rashford will also miss the England games ahead of the World Cup qualifiers as heconcentrates on getting back to full fitness after recent shoulder surgery.