Phil Foden has temporarily left England’s Euro 2024 training camp to return home for the birth of his third child.
The Manchester City midfielder has started all three of England’s games so far in Germany, including last night’s 0-0 draw against Slovenia.
No details have been given regarding the specific nature of the matter, but Foden’s departure has been described as ‘temporary’, while sources close to the England squad say he is returning to attend the birth of his third child.
Foden, 24, has two children – a five-year-old son Ronnie and a daughter True, who turns three in July – with his girlfriend Rebecca Cooke.
A short statement from the FA read: ‘Phil Foden has temporarily left the England camp and returned to the UK for a pressing family matter.’
A timeframe has not been given for Foden’s potential return, with England set to play their last-16 knockout fixture on Sunday at 5pm.
England’s opponents will not be confirmed until the conclusion of the group stages but they will play one of the four best third-place teams, which could be any one of the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine or Belgium.
Despite an improved display in Cologne, there have been repeated calls for Foden to be dropped from Southgate’s side.
The 24-year-old was crowned FWA Footballer of the Year last season, after a campaign during which he notched up 19 goals and registered eight assists.
However, the City midfielder – deployed on the left of a midfield three alongside Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka this tournament – has thus far failed to replicate his club form at international level.
Should Foden be unable to start on Sunday, Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon, who came on in the closing stages against Slovenia, will be expected to start in his place.
At the Qatar World Cup in 2022, Raheem Sterling had to leave the camp to return home after a break-in at his home.
The Chelsea forward returned in time for England’s quarter-final against France where he came on as a second-half substitute.