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Bukayo Saka has withdrawn from the England squad after recording a positive Covid-19 test.
The Arsenal star trained on Tuesday but was too unwell to take part in any sessions at St George’s Park after that point.
England had hoped he would recover in time for their friendly against the Ivory Coast on Tuesday, but he will now return home.
Saka tweeted: ‘I am gutted to withdraw from @England camp but I have tested positive for Covid-19 and I will be isolating until I am negative. I’ll be supporting the boys from home this weekend and I can’t wait to be being back doing what I love soon’.
Bukayo Saka has totally withdrawn from the England squad after testing positive for Covid-19
An FA statement said: ‘Bukayo Saka has left the England camp having tested positive for Covid-19.
‘The Arsenal player had been isolating from the rest of the squad at St George’s Park since Wednesday and has now returned home. No further replacements are planned with a squad of 24 in place for the forthcoming fixtures.’
He will now focus entirely on recovering in time for Arsenal’s next fixture against Crystal Palace, on Monday 4 April.
The 20-year-old is now the sixth player to withdraw from England’s squad this month, as Southgate has also seen Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James, Tammy Abraham and Sam Johnstone withdraw.
Saka trained with the Three Lions squad on Tuesday but was too unwell to do so after that
The Arsenal youngster has therefore been forced to pull out of Gareth Southgate’s squad
Johnstone was initially brought in as a replacement for Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who dropped out after sustaining a hip injury.
However, the Baggies shot-stopper was then forced to do the same after missing training on Tuesday due to illness.
Southampton’s Fraser Forster, who has not earned an England cap since May 2016, was called up to replace Johnstone on Wednesday.
His Saints team-mate Kyle Walker-Peters and Crystal Palace youngster Tyrick Mitchell earned their first call-ups after Alexander-Arnold and James’ withdrawals, while Ollie Watkins came in for the injured Abraham.
Source: DailyMail Sports
