A hamstring injury has forced James Milner to pull out of the England squad for the friendlies against Spain and France and he has not been replaced.
The Liverpool midfielder, who has 57 caps, lasted an hour of their Europa League victory in Rubin Kazan last Thursday before being replaced by Adam Lallana.
The former Manchester City man then missed the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday at Anfield and will be absent for Roy Hodgson’s side as they face two tough tests in their last fixtures of what has been a successful 2015.
The 29-year-old featured in six of England’s European Championship qualifying games as they topped Group E with a 100% record to book their place at France 2016. Next summer’s hosts are at Wembley for a friendly on 17 November. But first up for Hodgson’s squad, now reduced to 22 men, is another stern examination of their tournament credentials as they face the reigning two-time European champions, Spain, in Alicante on Friday.
With Milner out Dele Alli could be in line for his first senior start having picked up two caps as a substitute last month, and his Tottenham team-mate Eric Dier will also be hoping to make his England debut over the course of the two friendlies.
Hodgson previously warned his squad he will not risk taking any unfit players to France – and there are plenty currently on the sidelines with Milner joining Phil Jagielka, Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Danny Ings, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck in being out injured at present.
