Reece James WITHDRAWS from England squad to face Ukraine
Reece James WITHDRAWS from England squad for Sunday’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine – with the right back returning to Chelsea for ‘assessment on an ongoing issue’ in a concern for Blues boss Graham Potter
- Reece James has withdrawn from the England squad to face Ukraine
- The defender has returned to Chelsea for assessment on an ongoing issue
- Gareth Southgate will also be without the suspended Luke Shaw on Sunday
Chelsea defender Reece James has withdrawn from the England squad ahead of Sunday’s Euro 2024 qualifier at home to Ukraine.
The right-back has returned to Chelsea for ‘assessment on an ongoing issue’ and won’t be involved in the game at Wembley.
James, who has 16 England caps, came on in the closing stages of the 2-1 victory over Italy on Thursday.
England do not have any plans to call up a replacement for James.
An FA statement read: ‘Reece James has withdrawn from the England squad and will not feature against Ukraine on Sunday.’
Chelsea defender Reece James has withdrawn from the England squad because of injury
The news regarding James’ withdrawal will be of concern to Chelsea manager Graham Potter
‘The full-back has returned to Chelsea for assessment on an ongoing issue.
‘No replacements are planned as Gareth Southgate’s squad, including the suspended Luke Shaw, continue their preparations at Tottenham Hotspur Training Ground.’
So far this season James has been restricted to just 12 Premier League appearances, with a knee injury causing him issues, while he was also absent due to a hamstring problem. The aforementioned knee injury meant that James missed the World Cup in Qatar.
The news regarding James will be a concern to Chelsea boss Graham Potter, whose team are next in action at home to Aston Villa on April 1.
England manager Gareth Southgate will also be without the suspended Luke Shaw on Sunday
James’ absence means that England boss Gareth Southgate will be without another player for the game against Ukraine.
Luke Shaw is suspended following his red card against Italy, while Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount and Nick Pope withdrew from the initial squad due to injuries.
Goalkeeper Fraser Forster was the only addition to the squad, which means that Southgate’s current group consists of just 21 players.
He does, however, have two experienced options to choose from at right-back in Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier.
Striker Ivan Toney will be looking to make his international debut at some stage after he was an unused substitute on Thursday.
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