Covid: Saka ruled out of England friendlies

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Mueez Ajao

– Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka will miss England’s upcoming friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast after testing positive for Covid-19.

– Saka had been isolating from the rest of the squad at St George’s Park since Wednesday and has now returned home.

– England are not planning to call up a replacement for the 20-year-old.

Also Read: Saka gets Arsenal back on track with win over Aston Villa

-Gareth Southgate’s side play Switzerland on Saturday and Ivory Coast on Tuesday, with both matches taking place at Wembley.

– Saka posted on social media that he was “gutted” to withdraw from the squad.

– “I’ll be supporting the boys from home this weekend and I can’t wait to be being back doing what I love soon,” he wrote on Twitter.

– Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster was added to a 24-strong squad on Wednesday following Sam Johnstone’s withdrawal.

– Johnstone had been a replacement for Aaron Ramsdale, who missed out through injury.

– Arsenal’s next Premier League fixture is against Crystal Palace on Monday, 4 April.

England squad

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Fraser Forster

Defenders: Conor Coady, Marc Guehi, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Tyrick Mitchell, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kyle Walker-Peters, Ben White

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, Mason Mount, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse

Forwards: Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Emile Smith Rowe, Raheem Sterling, Ollie Watkins

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