England star will miss Ukraine match and crucial Man City games following surgery

England face Ukraine in the second match of their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign on Sunday. 

On Thursday, The Three Lions defeated Italy 2-1 in Naples to ensure their campaign got off to the best possible start.

The win –  England’s first in Italy for more than 50 years – has put Gareth Southgate’s side top of Group C, and victory over Ukraine at Wembley would move them a step closer to securing a place at the tournament in Germany next year.

England will be without one of their most important players for the visit of Ukraine, though.

As reported by The Mirror, Manchester City star Phil Foden will miss the game having undergone appendicitis surgery.

The attacker, who was substituted on and then back off last time out against Italy, reportedly felt unwell during Saturday’s training session and underwent surgery on Sunday morning.

Foden will miss England’s game against Ukraine at Wembley on Sunday

Foden, 22, was set to feature for The Three Lions against Ukraine but Southgate will now have to look elsewhere.

The report also cites how an official FA statement revealed that Southgate will not be calling up a replacement for the forward, leaving the England boss with just 20 players to choose from.

Luke Shaw, whose red card against Italy prompted Foden to be subbed back off just 12 minutes after being introduced, will miss the match through suspension, while Reece James also withdrew from the squad on Saturday due to an ongoing injury.

England will also be without Manchester United star Marcus Rashford, who withdrew from the squad last week due to injury, leaving Southgate rather short of attacking options.

Bukayo Saka and Jack Grealish will therefore most likely start against Ukraine, while the likes of Ivan Toney and James Maddison will be hoping to feature.