Everton captain Phil Jagielka has suffered a thigh strain whilst on international duty with England.
Everton’s Phil Jagielka in action
Everton captain Phil Jagielka has withdrawn from international duty because of a thigh injury ahead of England’s World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia.
The defender is now the third player to withdraw from caretaker manager Gareth Southgate’s first England squad due an to injury, educing the squad to 22 players.
Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling and Stoke City’s Glen Johnson have already withdrawn from the side earlier this week, with their respective injuries.
Everton’s Phil Jagielka in action with Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke
Luckily for Everton fans Jagielka’s thigh strain is not thought to be serious according to the Daily Star and the 34-year-old is expected to be fit for the Premier League side’s visit to Manchester City, despite the injury.
The Daily Star are also reporting that Southgate has no immediate plans to replace Jagielka, which has boosted the chances of Burnley centre-back Michael Keane earning his first senior cap for his country, after an impressive start to the season.
England’s Phil Jagielka and Marcus Rashford during training
Everton tweeted the news to their fans from their official account stating: “Phil Jagielka has withdrawn from the England squad through injury. The thigh injury isn’t thought to be too serious and Jags will return to Everton to be assessed.”
Should Southgate decide to replace Jagielka though, the England boss could call upon Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson, who has also made a fine start to life in the Premier League, with the pair having previously together for the under-21’s.
England’s Theo Walcott, Michael Keane and Andros Townsend during training
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