England confirm latest squad departure ahead of Cote d’Ivoire clash

 

The England national team have this evening released a statement, confirming a fresh departure from Gareth Southgate’s squad ahead of the nation’s upcoming meeting with Cote d’Ivoire.

The player forced to call time on his latest international commitments prematurely? John Stones.

For those not aware, stopper Stones was a surprise last-minute scratch from England’s starting XI to face Switzerland over the weekend, owing to an injury concern picked up during the Three Lions’ warm-up.

Arsenal’s Ben White, in turn, replaced the Manchester City star in the line-up:

A late change to our starting line-up for today’s game, with @ben6white replacing John Stones, who picked up an injury during the warm-up. https://t.co/NlQyBBqCLx

— England (@England) March 26, 2022

Hope had remained that Stones would recover from his issue in time to feature in England’s next outing, another friendly clash, this time with Ivory Coast on Tuesday night.

As alluded to above, however, this has since not proven to be the case.

As per an official announcement across the England national team’s social media platforms and website, Stones, instead, has departed the country’s camp with immediate effect, returning to Manchester ‘as a precaution’:

”John Stones has left the England camp and returned to Manchester City.

”Having withdrawn from the starting line-up ahead of Saturday’s 2-1 victory against Switzerland at Wembley, the defender has continued to be assessed.

”After today’s session at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground, it was decided that Stones would play no part against Côte d’Ivoire on Tuesday and has returned to his club as a precaution.”

An update from the #ThreeLions camp, as John Stones has returned to Manchester City:

— England (@England) March 28, 2022

Clarets clash

It now remains to be seen whether Stones will be at the disposal of boss Pep Guardiola this weekend.

Man City are set to mark their post-international break return to action on Saturday afternoon, in a Premier League meeting with Sean Dyche’s relegation-battling Burnley at Turf Moor.

The Sky Blues will head into the clash understandably desperate for all three points, having seen their advantage at the summit of the English top-flight cut to just a solitary point owing to wins in just two of their last four.

 

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