Raheem Sterling will not be involved for England on Sunday (Picture: Getty Images)
Raheem Sterling will not be involved in England’s match with Senegal on Sunday at the World Cup as he is ‘dealing with a family mattter’.
The Chelsea forward started the win over Iran and draw with USA but was on the bench for the 3-0 win over Wales in the last group stage game.
He will have hoped to be involved in the last 16 clash with Senegal on Sunday night, but he will not even be in the squad due to the personal matter.
A statement from the FA read: ‘Raheem Sterling is not available for selection for the Three Lions tonight as he is dealing with a family matter.’
Sterling was impressive in the 6-2 rout of Iran, scoring his 20th England goal in the resounding win, but then struggled against USA, as most of his teammates did as well.
That cost him his place for the Wales win, with Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford impressing in his absence.
Gareth Southgate is not short of options in his front three, with Harry Kane to be flanked by Foden and Bukayo Saka in the last 16 match against Senegal.
Rashford, who scored twice against Wales, is returning to the bench, while the likes of Jack Grealish and James Maddison are also available to bring on.
Saka replacing Rashford is the only change to Southgate’s starting XI from Wales to the Senegal match, with Jordan Henderson keeping his place in midfield alongside Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice.
Jordan Pickford is in goal, with a back four of Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.
Sterling is the second England player to leave the squad during this World Cup after Arsenal defender Ben White returned home due to personal reasons.
MORE : Why isn’t Sadio Mane playing for Senegal against England in the World Cup today?
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