Marcus Rashford will link-up with his England teammates later in the week (Picture: Getty Images)
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips have delayed joining the rest of the England squad this week due to personal matters.
The Three Lions host Malta on Friday before going to North Macedonia on Monday in European Championship qualifiers.
The FA have confirmed that Rashford and Phillips will not be joining their teammates until later in the week, putting their involvement against Malta this week in doubt.
It has also been confirmed that both Jude Bellingham and Levi Colwill have withdrawn from the squad, following James Maddison, Lewis Dunk and Callum Wilson in dropping out.
Both Real Madrid’s Bellingham and Chelsea’s Colwill have shoulder problems and will not be risked by Gareth Southgate.
After the initial three withdrawals, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa and Manchester City’s Rico Lewis were brought into the squad.
It has been a difficult squad to put together for Southgate, with Reece James asking not to be included as he works his way back to fitness after injury.
Rashford has struggled for both form and goals so far this season, scoring just once in his 11 Premier League starts for Manchester United and not at all in his four Champions League outings.
He has looked better when on duty for his national team, though, scoring in the 3-1 win over Italy last month.
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England face Malta on Friday.
