Football
ESPN staff 9y

Southampton's Ryan Bertrand added to England squad for Italy friendly

England manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand has been called into his squad for the friendly against Italy in Turin on Tuesday.

While former Chelsea left-back Bertrand is added to the squad, Leighton Baines, James Milner, Raheem Sterling and Danny Welbeck, will not be in the party to face the Italians.

Liverpool's Sterling, Manchester City's Milner and Arsenal striker Welbeck have returned because of injuries, while Baines returns to Merseyside in a move planned before Friday's 4-0 Euro 2016 qualifying win over Lithuania at Wembley.

"We knew we were going to be losing Raheem Sterling, who had an injection last night on an ongoing injury and hopefully that will help him as we go forward," Hodgson told the Football Association's official website.

"We have a problem with James Milner who had to leave, we decided to let Leighton Baines go home and of course we lost Danny Welbeck, who unfortunately picked up a slight knee injury [in the Lithuania game].

"So those four players won't be with us going forward, but it means a chance for the other guys in the squad to show what they can do.

"We are going to bring Ryan Bertrand in because, with Leighton Baines gone, we are now left with only one recognised left-back, Kieran Gibbs, and we wanted two recognised left-backs for both games."

Sterling, who had an injection in a toe, said he hoped to be fit for next weekend's Premier League match against Arsenal.

The Press Association reported the 20-year-old, who scored his first senior England goal against Lithuania, as saying: "It had been pre-agreed with the FA and obviously my club to get an injection after the game.

"I will receive some treatment back at the club and go from there. Hopefully I will be okay for the Arsenal game."

Information from the Press Association was used in this report.

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