England release Jude Bellingham and Levi Colwill from international duty
Jude Bellingham and Levi Colwill have been ruled out of England’s Euro 2024 qualifiers with Malta and North Macedonia this month due to injury.
Most of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the November internationals reconvened at St George’s Park on Monday ahead of the Three Lions’ final fixtures of 2023.
Southgate has already seen James Maddison, Callum Wilson and Lewis Dunk withdraw from England duty in recent days, with Bellingham and Colwill the latest players to be deemed unfit.
A statement from England on Tuesday read: “Jude Bellingham and Levi Colwill will play no part in England’s forthcoming UEFA EURO 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.
“The pair arrived at St. George’s Park for assessments on Monday but will now return to Real Madrid and Chelsea respectively to continue their rehabilitation.
“Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips will meet up later this week owing to personal matters.”
Bellingham and Colwill both recently picked up shoulder injuries and did not partake in their respective clubs’ final matches before the international break.
Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham sat out Saturday’s 5-1 win against Valencia having dislocated his shoulder a week prior in a 0-0 draw with Rayo Vallecano, while Chelsea defender Colwill was withdrawn at half-time of last Monday’s 4-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur but was not named in the squad that drew 4-4 with Manchester City on Sunday.
While Bellingham has already been capped 27 times by England at the age of 20, Colwill only made his senior debut for the Three Lions last month during a 1-0 friendly win against Australia.
England have already secured their ticket to Euro 2024 after taking 16 points from their opening six qualifying matches, whole both of their opponents this month have already been eliminated from contention to reach next summer’s finals in Germany.
