Jude Bellingham and Levi Colwill have both withdrawn from the England squad for this month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia after suffering from shoulder injuries.
Bellingham and Colwill reported to St. George’s Park to be assessed on Monday after missing recent games at club level, the Football Association has confirmed.
However, both players were subsequently released and will continue their rehabilitation with their clubs as the Three Lions wrap up their qualification campaign in the coming days.
Real Madrid star Bellingham has made a sensational start to life in Spain, scoring 13 times in just 14 appearances for Los Blancos since joining from Borussia Dortmund, including a memorable brace in last month’s dramatic 2-1 win over rivals Barcelona.
Bellingham also starred for England during the last international break in October, as Gareth Southgate’s team clinched qualification for next year’s tournament with an impressive 3-1 win over Italy at Wembley Stadium.
The 20-year-old has not featured in Madrid’s two most recent games, a 3-0 Champions League win over Braga and a 5-1 rout of Valencia in LaLiga, but his injury is not thought to be serious.
An update from St. George’s Park, as @BellinghamJude and @levi_colwill return to their clubs to continue their rehabilitation.
Recover well, lads ????
— England (@England) November 14, 2023
Indeed, Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has outlined his hopes that Bellingham will be available for Madrid’s next game, a trip to Cadiz in LaLiga on November 26.
Colwill, meanwhile, missed Chelsea’s incredible 4-4 draw with Manchester City on Sunday with a minor shoulder issue, having previously started all 11 of the Blues’ Premier League games in 2023-24.
With James Maddison, Callum Wilson and Lewis Dunk already being forced to withdraw from his squad, Southgate called up uncapped trio Cole Palmer, Rico Lewis and Ezri Konsa on Monday.
England welcome Malta to Wembley on Friday before rounding off their campaign against North Macedonia in Skopje on Monday, with the Three Lions seeking two victories to secure a place as one of the top group-stage seeds for the tournament in Germany.
Down to work ????#threelions pic.twitter.com/Qz8LAoeAFw
— England (@England) November 14, 2023
