Declan Rice pulls out of England squad

Declan Rice has withdrawn from the England squad due to illness.

The West Ham midfielder is the latest member of Gareth Southgate’s squad to pull out of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino.

Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse and Marcus Rashford of Manchester United had already returned to their clubs.

Rice has enjoyed a fine start to the season with the Hammers, who sit third in the Premier League having beaten Liverpool last weekend.

Southgate may have lost three players but so far only Arsenal attacking midfielder Emile Smith Rowe has been added as a replacement, being promoted from the under-21 squad for his first senior call-up.