Reece James has pulled out o England’s squad ahead of Sunday’s qualifier against after suffering a fresh injury setback.
The Chelsea defender has endured an injury-plagued season and missed the World Cup at the end of last year due to a knee problem.
James has returned to the Chelsea fold in recent weeks and appeared as a late substitute in the Three Lions landmark win over Italy in Naples on Thursday.
According to the , however, James has sustained a hamstring strain which both the player and his club hope is only minor.
Graham Potter will hope James’ withdrawal is only a precaution given Chelsea’s upcoming fixture list.
The Blues return to domestic action next Saturday against Aston Villa and then face games against Liverpool and Wolves, before the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.
Gareth Southgate, meanwhile, is well stocked with options at right-back with experienced duo Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier in contention to feature against Ukraine.
Neither Ben White, who has excelled for Arsenal this season, and Trent Alexander-Arnold were included in the squad announced last week and England will not call-up a replacement for James at this stage.
The England manager will also again be without Marcus Rashford after the Manchester United striker pulled out of the squad last week and has been photographed enjoying a break in New York with his partner over the last few days.
With competition for places in England’s forward line as competitive as it has been over the entire course of Southgate’s reign, the Three Lions boss issued what amounted to cryptic warning to the in-form Rashford on Thursday.
He said: ‘Well the feeling was he was playing really well, but we haven’t often had him.
‘So, in terms of a loss, when you haven’t had him that often then it’s different to being a loss. But without a doubt he was in good form. We were looking forward to seeing him.’
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