GARETH SOUTHGATE could potentially be without FIVE key men as he faces a potential England injury crisis.
The Three Lions have already confirmed their spot at next summer’s European Championship with two games to spare.
But boss Southgate, who named his latest England squad on Thursday, was looking to use the remaining dead-rubbers at home to Malta and away to North Macedonia to help finalise his plans for Euro 2024.
However, Tottenham confirmed this morning that James Maddison, 26, has been withdrawn from international duty due to injury.
The former Leicester City star suffered the blow during Spurs’ 4-1 home defeat to Chelsea on Monday.
And he could potentially be joined by another four men who are struggling with injuries.
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Fellow attacker Bukayo Saka, 22, was forced off injured for Arsenal in their Champions League win over Sevilla this week.
He appeared to roll his ankle awkwardly and is believed to be a huge doubt for his side’s Premier League clash with Burnley tomorrow.
As well as Maddison and Saka, there are also fears over 31-year-old striker Callum Wilson’s availability.
The Newcastle star has scored seven Premier League goals this season but sustained a hamstring injury in his side’s Champions League defeat at Dortmund on Tuesday.
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Now both the Magpies and Southgate will be sweating on whether he is fit enough to play against former club Bournemouth this weekend before the international break.
A further potential major absence could be Jude Bellingham.
The 20-year-old superstar has scored 13 in his 14 Real Madrid games so far since his summer arrival.
However, he remained an unused substitute during their midweek 3-0 Champions League victory over Sporting Braga as he nurses a shoulder injury.
And things got even worse last night for Southgate on the injury front.
Brighton captain Lewis Dunk went to ground towards the end of the first-half of their 2-0 Europa League win at Ajax.
The 31-year-old centre-back, who has three England caps, was taken off at half-time with a groin problem.
Now Southgate will be keeping a watching eye on whether Dunk, who recently shone for his country in the victories over Scotland and Australia, is fit enough to play against Sheffield United on Sunday.
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