Forster in after trio withdraw from squad for Italy qualifier

Marcus Rashford, Nick Pope and Mason Mount have been withdrawn from the England squad for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers. Fraser Forster has been called up as a replacement for the injured Pope but no further additions to the group are planned by the manager, Gareth Southgate.

The in-form forward Rashford sustained a knock in Manchester United’s FA Cup victory against Fulham on Sunday, while the Chelsea midfielder Mount is also to remain with his club for treatment. The goalkeeper Pope reported an injury after Newcastle’s Premier League win at Nottingham Forest on Friday and will also not join the squad. His absence means Tottenham’s former Southampton goalkeeper Forster returns to the international fold at 35 for the first time in a year and will have a chance to add to his six caps.

England face Italy in Naples on Thursday before hosting Ukraine at Wembley on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the new Wales captain, Aaron Ramsey, has insisted his country’s young generation can create their own history after the departures of Gareth Bale and others.

Ramsey has taken over the captaincy for the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign after Bale, the team’s record scorer and most capped player, ended his illustrious career in January. Chris Gunter, Joe Allen and Jonny Williams, also part of the Wales squad who reached the Euro 2016 semi-finals, have retired from the international scene as the manager, Rob Page, ushers in a new era for Welsh football.

“Gareth, Joe, Jonny, Gunts have been instrumental for us over the years and will forever be a part of Welsh history,” Ramsey said. “But football is forever changing and there’ll be opportunities now for these younger players to step up and show what they’re capable of. Hopefully now we can create our own history.”

Wales travel to Croatia on Saturday and host Latvia next Tuesday in their opening qualifiers.