JOE GOMEZ and Jordan Henderson have been ruled out of England qualifier’s in Kosovo tomorrow through injury.
The news means Gomez will not have to line-up in the same team as Raheem Sterling, who is set to return to Gareth Southgate’s XI.
Gomez was targeted by boo boys at Wembley on Thursday but will miss the trip to KosovoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Liverpool team-mates Gomez and Henderson won’t feature tomorrow in England’s final qualifierCredit: Rex Features
Sterling was dropped for the 7-0 win over Montenegro following his altercation with Gomez at the England training camp on Monday.
Gomez, 22, booed by Three Lions fans on Thursday, has sustained an knee injury and is out.
Liverpool team-mate Henderson has a virus so he will also miss out.
Southgate was left stunned when Gomez was targeted by a minority of England supporters at Wembley on Thursday, and he hit out at them in his media briefings after the game.
Gomez and Sterling clashed in the latter stages of Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Manchester City last week.
That animosity continued into the England camp’s meet up when Sterling reportedly asked Gomez if he was “still the big man”.
Sterling then reportedly tried to get him in a headlock, which left the centre-half with a mark near his eye, caused by Sterling’s jewellery.
The City forward quickly apologised for the row and the pair seemed to have put it behind them at training this week.
Southgate brought on Gomez for the last 20 minutes against Montenegro.
He had hoped to give him a full game against Kosovo, which England need to win to avoid a potential group of death with Portugal and Belgium.
But Gomez, visibly upset by the reaction to his substitution by the home fans three days ago, will now return to Anfield for treatment.
The Three Lions boss is now more likely to partner Harry Maguire with John Stones again, although a second cap for Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings is not out of the question.
Midfielder Henderson’s place is likely to go to Harry Winks, who played in the 7-0 win on Thursday.
Sterling is likely to join Marcus Rashford and Tammy Abraham in attack against the Kosovans as Southgate shuffles his pack.
The Manchester City striker, 24, quickly condemned the England fans who booed Gomez after the Montenegro victory.
He posted on Twitter: “It was hard for me to see my team mate get booed for something that was my fault.
“Joe hasn’t done anything wrong & for me to see someone who keeps his head down and work hard..”
Liverpool chiefs will assess Gomez’ injury but hope he will be OK to return to the Premier League leaders’ squad for their trip to Crystal Palace next Saturday.
Substitute Joe Gomez booed by section of England fans as he comes on against Montenegro after Raheem Sterling row
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
