Rashford returned to the Premier League a few weeks ago after undergoing shoulder surgery in the summer. But last week he had to skip some training sessions again because he was sick. It came last weekend during the losing derby against Manchester City.
Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse will also not attend. That he was sick. Mason Mount (Chelsea) and Luke Shaw are still on the list, but with a question mark. They also aren’t quite ready to play yet. National coach Gareth Southgate has now added Emile Smith Rowe to the list. This is his first election for the 21-year-old Arsenal striker.
England, who reached the final of the European Championship last summer, will play Albania and San Marino in the World Cup qualifiers. The country leads its group, three points behind Poland.
Italy is not at full strength
National team coach Roberto Mancini of European champions Italy, who thwarted England in the final battle in London, could not be his strongest pick in the crucial stage of the World Cup qualifiers. Winger Nicolo Zaniolo and midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini, both from Roma, withdrew due to injuries. Newcomers Danilo Cataldi (Lazio) and Matteo Pessina (Atalanta) have been called up as substitutes.
Mancini was previously unable to count on Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain) and Rafael Toloi (Atalanta). Nor did Moise Kean receive an invitation. The Juventus striker has yet to fully recover from a thigh injury. Nicolo Parilla (Inter Milan) is in the Italian selection, but he may not be ready to play in time due to a thigh injury.
Italy leads Group C with 14 points from six matches. Switzerland is on the same level, but has lower quality goal teams. Italy and Switzerland will play each other in Rome on November 12th. Three days later, Mancini will face Northern Ireland in Belfast.
