Andros Townsend replaces Sterling in England squad

Burton-on-Trent (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend has replaced Raheem Sterling in the England squad after the in-form Manchester City forward withdrew due to injury, the Football Association announced on Monday.

Townsend, 25, was last called up for England’s pre-Euro 2016 friendlies against Turkey and Australia. He has won 11 caps and scored three goals.

Sterling is believed to have a minor calf injury.

He has been in impressive form for City under new manager Pep Guardiola, although he produced a subdued display in their 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

England host Malta in a 2018 World Cup qualifier on Saturday in their first match since Gareth Southgate succeeded Sam Allardyce as manager on a caretaker basis. They then travel to Slovenia next week.

England’s players are due to convene at their St George’s Park training centre in Burton, central England on Tuesday.

Revised England squad

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Torino/ITA, on loan from Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)

Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Stoke City), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Michail Antonio (West Ham United), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Andros Townsend (Crystal Palace), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur)

Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United, capt), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)