Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere will miss England s friendly against Netherlands in Amsterdam on Friday with a tendon problem.
Wilshere was in line for a first international appearance since Euro 2016, having battled back from persistent injury issues to regain a place in Arsene Wenger s first-team plans this season.
Speaking at a pre-match news conference, England boss Gareth Southgate played down fears the 26-year-old s latest setback was significant, and Wilshere could still feature when Italy travel to Wembley next week.
Jack just felt some tendinopathy in his knee, Southgate said. It s a problem he s had before, nothing too serious.
We had the option to bring him here and treat him here but we ve decided to have him back at base.
There s a good chance he s with us on Saturday but we ll see how he responds.
It s something that in the past has settled down very quickly so hopefully that will be the case. Lots of players have tendon issues that over time flare up.
He s trained well with us this week and if you think about the journey he s been on over the last couple of years, the big injuries he s had to come back from. He s progressing really well.
We ve arrived in the Netherlands, where Gareth Southgate has confirmed that hasn t travelled – but the man remains in contention for Tuesday s game against Italy.
— England (@England)
Southgate confirmed Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford will start against Netherlands, filling a role that has unhelpfully become a problem position as the 2018 World Cup approaches.
Joe Hart only recently regained his first-team spot at West Ham after being dropped in December, while Stoke City s Jack Butland is also shy of his best form and in the midst of a relegation fight.
Uncapped Burnley keeper Nick Pope is in the squad for the first time – his opportunity in Sean Dyche s side have only come about due to still-sidelined England international Tom Heaton suffering a dislocated shoulder against Crystal Palace last September.
Pickford impressed in November s goalless draw with Germany and he will get a chance to shine once more when Ronald Koeman – the man who sanctioned a £30million move for the former Sunderland keeper while manager at Everton – takes charge of his country for the first time.
The manager has confirmed that will start in goal tomorrow evening.
— England (@England)
He s a very agile keeper who is quick around his goal and capable of making big saves, Southgate said.
His distribution is excellent which is a key part of how we want to play.
It s a great opportunity for him. He played really well against Germany in November and it s another good opportunity for us to see him in another international game.
