• England

Thigh injury forces Sturridge out of England qualifier

Daniel Sturridge has been ruled out of England's opening 2016 European Championship qualifier after picking up a thigh injury during a team training session on Friday morning.

Sturridge, 25, underwent a scan on Friday afternoon to determine the extent of the injury, with the Euro 2016 Group E tie at Switzerland only three days away.

And he has now been told he won't play a part in the Euro 2016 qualifier.

An FA Spokesman said: "Daniel Sturridge picked up an injury on his thigh in training. He has had a scan and will now return to Liverpool FC for treatment. He will play no part in the forthcoming Switzerland match."

Gary Cahill also sat out England training on Friday with an ankle complaint, although the injury is not expected to rule him out of the Switzerland game.

Cahill was pictured with ice on his ankle after being substituted at a half-full Wembley against Norway but England manager Roy Hodgson quickly downplayed fears over his fitness.

The Chelsea defender did not train at St George's Park as a precaution, although he is expected to return to training on Saturday.

Cahill's absence meant only 19 of the initial 22-man squad were in action, after West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster and uncapped Newcastle midfielder Jack Colback had already withdrawn through injury.

As a result, three members of the England Under-20s squad were drafted in to help with the training session.

Southampton midfielder Harrison Reed, Barnsley's Paul Digby and Exeter goalkeeper Christy Pym all started the session with Hodgson's side ahead of the Under-20's match against Romania in Telford later in the day.

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