Gareth Southgate confirms Emile Smith Rowe is ‘unlikely’ to feature in Switzerland friendly as the Arsenal star becomes latest England concern… with midfielder ruled out just ONE day after Bukayo Saka’s positive Covid test
- Gareth Southgate says Emile Smith Rowe is unlikely to play against Switzerland
- England boss confirmed injury is ‘nothing too serious’ despite missing training
- Latest blow to England squad following Bukayo Saka’s positive Covid test
- England face Switzerland in a friendly at Wembley on Saturday night
Gareth Southgate says that Emile Smith Rowe is ‘unlikely’ to feature in the friendly against Switzerland on Saturday night.
Smith Rowe, 21, was absent from England’s training session on Friday and Southgate confirmed the midfielder was the latest player to be ruled out following Bukayo Saka’s positive Covid result on Thursday.
In his press conference, Southgate confirmed the news but also suggested that Smith Rowe’s injury was ‘nothing too serious’.
Emile Smith Rowe is ‘unlikely’ to feature in England’s clash against Switzerland on Saturday
Arsenal player missed Friday’s training session but Southgate says injury is ‘nothing serious’
Southgate said: ‘As is being reported, Emile didn’t train today so I would think it’s unlikely he’ll be involved tomorrow. Nothing too serious, but we’ll check to see whether he can be involved.
‘Raheem’s absolutely fine. It was a shame to lose Bukayo but we’re back in those moments with Covid where there is a spike in the country and we’ve had the same.’
Southgate has also suffered a number of withdrawals from the squad with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James, Tammy Abraham and Sam Johnstone all having to be replaced.
Bukayo Saka has totally withdrawn from the England squad after testing positive for Covid-19
The news comes just a day after Bukayo Saka was forced to withdraw from teh squad entirely after returning a positive Covid-19 test.
An FA statement said: ‘Bukayo Saka has left the England camp having tested positive for Covid-19.
‘The Arsenal player had been isolating from the rest of the squad at St George’s Park since Wednesday and has now returned home. No further replacements are planned with a squad of 24 in place for the forthcoming fixtures.’
