England suffer fresh injury blow as Jack Butland withdraws

Jack Butland has withdrawn from the England squad after breaking a finger in training on Thursday.

The goalkeeper, who was expected to start at Wembley in Friday’s friendly against Germany, has now returned to Stoke City to be assessed by his club’s medical staff.

There will be no further additions to the squad at this moment in time, with Gareth Southgate set to assess his options after Friday’s fixture. 

Jack Butland has withdrawn from the England squad after breaking a finger in training

Butland played in England’s final World Cup qualifier in Lithuania last month and manager Gareth Southgate was set to continue with the 24-year-old for the visit of the world champions.

He is widely viewed as Joe Hart’s successor as No 1 and has impressed this season despite Stoke currently being just three points above the Premier League relegation zone.

However his withdrawal means Hart looks likely to come back in for Friday’s game, unless Everton stopper Jordan Pickford is handed his debut.

Southgate has had his preparations for the international fixtures hampered by a number of big-name withdrawals.

As well as Butland, Raheem Sterling, Fabian Delph, Dele Alli, Harry Winks, Harry Kane and Jordan Henderson have all pulled out of the squad due to injuries. 

Southgate also attempted to call up Danny Drinkwater, however the Chelsea midfelder refused as he recovers from a thigh injury.

More to follow.

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