Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is to withdraw from the England European Championship squad with the thigh injury he suffered in Wednesday’s friendly against Austria.
There were severe concerns over Alexander-Arnold when he was forced to come off in the closing stages of the game at the Riverside and Gareth Southgate said then the player would have to undergo a scan on his thigh immediately.
The response of the Liverpool man suggested that his participation in the Euros was in danger and the scan has confirmed that he must withdraw. That opens the door for another one of the six fit back-up players to be included. Jesse Lingard who started the win over Austria is the favourite to be that man but Southgate will also look at James Ward-Prowse.
The latest set-back brings to an end a season of highs and lows for Alexander-Arnold, who regained his form in the last few months for Liverpool having been left out of Southgate’s previous squad in March. Southgate gave him his full backing when he picked the player in Tuesday’s squad announcement and said that it had always been his intention to select the 22-year-old.
More to follow…