Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold out of England squad through injury

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 04 September 2023

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold and Manchester City's Jack Grealish pull out of the England squad for September's matches with Ukraine and Scotland due to injury.

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold and Manchester City's Jack Grealish have withdrawn from the England squad for September's fixtures through injury.

The duo were unsurprisingly called up to Gareth Southgate's squad for next Saturday's Euro 2024 qualifier with Ukraine and their 150th Anniversary Heritage match versus Scotland on September 12.

However, both Grealish and Alexander-Arnold arrived at St George's Park nursing injuries from their domestic commitments, as the former was absent from Man City's 5-1 thrashing of Fulham with a quadriceps strain.

Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold came off on the 71-minute mark of Liverpool's 3-0 win over Aston Villa due to a hamstring injury, as he headed straight down the Anfield tunnel following his withdrawal.

Now, England have confirmed that both Grealish and Alexander-Arnold have been sent home to focus on their recoveries, and Southgate is not planning to call up any replacements.

Manchester City's Jack Grealish celebrates after the match on May 17, 2023 © Reuters

Additionally, Newcastle United's Kieran Trippier will be a late arrival to the camp due to a personal commitment, but the Three Lions are otherwise well-stocked for their return to action.

"Jack Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been ruled out of England's September fixtures. The pair reported to St. George's Park on Monday but have since withdrawn from the Three Lions squad following checks on injuries sustained prior to camp," a statement read.

"All other players are due as planned apart from Kieran Trippier who will arrive on Wednesday owing to a personal commitment.

"There are no further call ups planned as Gareth Southgate's squad prepare for Saturday's UEFA EURO 2024 against Ukraine in Wroclaw and Tuesday's 150th Anniversary Heritage Match with Scotland in Glasgow."

Following Alexander-Arnold's substitution at the weekend, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp confirmed that the defender had tweaked his hamstring, although the player was hopeful that he had not sustained a serious problem.

Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates scoring for England on June 16, 2023 © Reuters

According to The Athletic, Alexander-Arnold will not spend an extended period on the sidelines, but the 24-year-old will likely sit out the next two weeks after undergoing scans on Monday.

As a result, Alexander-Arnold's participation for Liverpool's Premier League game with Wolverhampton Wanderers on September 16 is up in the air, but he should return for their Europa League opener away to Austrian outfit LASK Linz on September 21.

The right-back is already the second Liverpool player to pull out of their national team with an injury, as Ibrahima Konate withdrew from France duty earlier on Monday owing to his hamstring problem.

Meanwhile, Grealish joins John Stones and Kevin De Bruyne in the treatment room at Man City, whose next game comes away to fellow fast starters West Ham United on September 16.