Southgate hopes Henderson and Grealish return soon

Gareth Southgate

is hoping

Jordan Henderson

and

Jack Grealish

“won’t miss too much football” after the players parted ways with the squad before their Monday’s clash against San Marino for the World Cup qualifying.

The England boss revealed that the duo sustained minor injuries during their thumping 5-0 victory over Albania.

Grealish was able to attend training the next day but he went back to Manchester City to undergo further tests, whereas Henderson returned to Liverpool.

The Three Lions only should avoid defeat in their qualifier clash to get a place in the 2022 Qatar.

Speaking at a media conference on Sunday, Southgate said:

"With Henderson it was within the [Albania] game. With Jack, we think a little bit perhaps within the game, but he trained yesterday. As a precaution, we scanned them both, so there are small injuries on the scans.

"We just hope that they're not going to miss too much football ball from here on. It shouldn't be too bad in either case, but we just have to see how that progresses."

The England manager also revealed that Raheem Sterling has also withdrawn from the team to take care of a personal matter.

Luke Shaw and Mason Mount are also out of contention and they were also not part of the Albania game.

Conor Gallagher was provided with the chance to have his first senior call up in the absence of England’s key players.

Southgate confirmed that the Crystal Palace loanee and Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe were called up.

When quizzed about older players like James Maddison, Callum Wilson and Patrick Bamford being overlooked, he said:

"We haven't had an opening for a forward, and Patrick's been injured as well. In terms of the others, we think Conor and Emile are playing better than others that we could have called in, simple as that.

"The door is never closed. I like the idea of bringing young players in because you're investing in England's future.

"It would be easier perhaps in the short term to bring in an older player, but I'm not certain there are older players who are playing better than those two at this current moment in time in the positions they are playing."

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