Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has pulled out of the England squad for matches against Spain and Switzerland with a back injury, reports BBC Sport.
Gareth Southgate’s side start their UEFA Nations League campaign against Spain on Saturday before facing Switzerland in a friendly three days later.
Sterling would have been expected to start against Spain but the 23-year-old will stay behind to recover from a back problem.
After playing an integral part in City’s league and cup double last season, Sterling struggled to make the same impact for England at the 2018 World Cup.
Sterling failed to score in six appearances in Russia and only provided one assist to prolong his poor goalscoring record for the Three Lions.
The City No.10 is goalless in his last 26 matches for England, last netting for Southgate’s side against Estonia in October 2015.
