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      Wales can qualify for Euro 2024 without talisman Gareth Bale, says former assistant manager

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      GARETH BALE was impossible for Wales to replace.But ex-Dragons assistant boss Kit Symons reckons Robert Page’s new cycle can qualify for Euro 2024 without their superman.
      Kit Symons was part of the Wales backroom staff who reached three major tournament finalsCredit: PA
      Without Bale, Robert Page has guided Wales to the brink of Euro 2024Credit: Getty
      Two Group D wins for Wales, starting today against Armenia in Yerevan before hosting Turkey in Cardiff on Tuesday night, will book a fourth major tournament in five attempts.
      Symons was part of the backroom staff for the previous three finals but left his post after last year’s World Cup disappointment in Qatar.
      Wales’ first World Cup since 1958 was also ex-captain Bale’s swansong.
      The Welsh legend hung up his boots on a glittering international career which yielded a record 111 caps and 41 goals for his country.
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      But Symons reckons Page’s Euro dreamers can achieve success and reach the finals in Germany next summer.
      Symons said: “Wales are capable of qualifying. It’s in their own hands. Armenia and Turkey are big games and it’s all to play for.
      “You’d have expected us to beat Armenia at home but we didn’t and got taught a lesson. It was a really bad performance and result.
      “But we can certainly beat them away from home. Can we beat Turkey? We’ve done that before so we can qualify.”
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      Bale’s final Welsh appearance came in the 3-0 group exit defeat to England almost a year ago.
      But Symons, who was also Chris Coleman’s long-standing No2, has been encouraged by Harry Wilson, Kieffer Moore, Brennan Johnson and David Brooks sharing the attacking load.
      Symons, 52, added: “We have found a different way of playing and being successful.
      “Baleo has left and, while we have good players, there’s no superman to come in and score goals out of nothing for us. 
      “It’s impossible to replace Gareth. He was world-class, a talisman and even if he wasn’t having his best game he’d pop up with a moment of magic.
      “It was incredible what he did for Wales and how he achieved it. It’s got to be a different way now and we have to share out the goals and assists.”
      Page parted ways with Symons after the World Cup, which the ex-Fulham manager describes as a ‘fairytale’ as the Dragons qualified for a first global finals in 64 years.
      Symons said: “I’m really disappointed about how I left because it was a brilliant job that meant a lot to me.
      “But I also feel blessed. I’ve been the assistant manager three times now and been to three major tournaments.
      “I had a brilliant time and was given great opportunities so I don’t have any regrets. 
      “As a player, we had near misses like the Romania game for USA ’94 so to qualify for the World Cup was a fairytale.
      “We got to the tournament and the fairytale came to an end and reality hit home.
      “We played really good sides, some of the players had been injured or weren’t fully match-fit and that took its toll. We couldn’t alter that.
      “There wasn’t much we could have done to achieve different results.
      “You’re on the biggest stage of world football and if you have any frailties or problems they get magnified and blown up.
      “I still think Wales qualifying for a World Cup was a huge and monumental achievement.
      “Of course, everyone was disappointed with the performances, apart from the second half of the USA game.
      “But if you reflect and look at where we were and take into account the factors we were dealing with, it wasn’t that big a surprise.
      “We had a group of players who had been incredible and quite a few of them were coming to the end of the cycle. 
      “Gareth and Joe Allen were so important for Wales and the way we played. When we played well, they were pivotal to it.
      “I’m just really pleased they got a chance to play at a World Cup.
      “Now it’s a different time and the start of another cycle. It will take time.
      “Reaching the Euro 2016 semi-finals was incredible but we also lost 6-1 in Serbia with Baleo, Joe, Ashley Williams, the nucleus of the same team.
      “People need to be patient, trust in the process and support what they believe in.” More

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      Scott McTominay suffers being a Scotland star at Man United like my old mate, says Kris Boyd – but he’s been our warrior

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO, Romelu Lukaku, Harry Kane – and Scott McTominay.The average football fan from abroad will probably look at the Euro 2024 qualifying top scorers and think, ‘The Scotland striker has had a good campaign’.
      McTominay has an incredible record in the qualifiersCredit: AFP
      It rivals some of his old Man United team-mates like Lukaku and Ronaldo (above)Credit: Reuters
      McTominay has stepped up for Scotland since his debut in 2018Credit: Reuters
      McTominay’s record of seven goals in seven games is one any top No9 would be proud of.
      It’s an unbelievable return from the Man United midfielder and he deserves to be rubbing shoulders with all those superstars in the scoring charts.
      But it only tells half the story of his contribution to Scotland’s qualification for next summer’s finals.
      McTominay has been more than just a goalscorer for Steve Clarke’s side.

      He has been a leader and a warrior for Scotland in every single game.
      Even in Georgia, when things were getting really niggly, he was the one leading the fight.
      And after the game, McTominay was the man who rightly called Willy Sagnol’s players “cry babies” for their antics.
      McTominay was born in England but you can tell that playing for Scotland means everything to him.
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      On that, a special mention to Alex McLeish for his key role in persuading him to commit in 2018.
      England boss Gareth Southgate was also having a look at McTominay during that period.
      But Alex travelled down for talks with the Man United man and that personal touch paid off.
      McTominay has been all-in with Scotland since making his debut five years ago and Clarke is getting the best out of him.
      It took a while to find his ideal position – he played as a centre-half and also in a sitting midfield role.
      In terms of how fans viewed him, he also maybe suffered from being the Man United star turning up for Scotland duty.
      I remember it with Darren Fletcher. He was playing every week at Old Trafford and people sometimes expected too much of him.
      But McTominay has really blossomed with Scotland over the last 18 months playing in that advanced midfield role.
      It’s perfect for him and he has stepped up time after time.
      He has the pace, energy and talent to make things happen and he can also get a goal.
      Do not underestimate just how good a finish that was from him in Georgia on Thursday night.
      McTominay gets big goals in vital moments and is emerging as a talisman for the team.
      He plays a different role at Old TraffordCredit: Getty
      It’s a similar club and country scenario that Darren Fletcher found himself inCredit: Andrew Barr – The Sun Glasgow
      Boyd’s backing Lawrence Shankland (centre) for a place on the plane next summerCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      Lawrence Shankland grabbed the all-important late equaliser and I was happy for the Hearts man.
      As a striker myself, I’ve been in his shoes – patiently waiting for your chance.
      You need to take it when it comes and I don’t think anyone else in the Scotland squad would have scored that header.
      Yes, we have aerial threats like Lyndon Dykes, but Shankland’s movement and awareness was top class.
      It was a real striker’s finish and that ability to find space and nick a goal could be priceless for Scotland.
      There will be games that don’t suit Shankland and he will understand why Clarke will go for Dykes or Che Adams.
      But in certain moments, like in Georgia, strikers like Shankland become so valuable.
      If it was up to me, he would be on that plane for Germany next summer.
      Special mention also to Lewis Ferguson, who made a massive impact off the bench.
      The Bologna midfielder has had to be patient and wait for his chance because we are so strong in that area.
      But Ferguson showed how big a player he can be for Scotland in that second half in Georgia.
      He was the one taking the game to them and driving the team on.
      There were a lot of unselfish runs from him and he made a big difference.
      I wouldn’t be surprised if Ferguson has done enough to earn a start against Norway tomorrow night.
      Scotland have qualified but there is still so much at stake as we battle for a pot 2 place at the Euros.
      Norway are scarred by Oslo in June when Dykes and Kenny McLean scored those two late goals.
      Stale Solbakken hasn’t been shy in claiming his team were better on that day – despite losing 2-1.
      Norway will be coming to Hampden looking for revenge and aiming to spoil the celebrations.
      Yet it now looks like Erling Haaland will join Martin Odegaard in missing the trip to Glasgow.
      McTominay and his Scotland pals will turn up for the final game of a memorable campaign.
      Let’s hope they have one big performance left and Hampden can host a proper party. More

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      England draft up trophy-winning U21 captain to training ahead of Euro 2024 qualifier against Malta

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      TAYLOR HARWOOD-BELLIS has joined up with the senior England team for training.And the U21s skipper could be added to the squad by manager Gareth Southgate for the final Euro 2024 qualifiers.
      Taylor Harwood-Bellis is training with the senior England teamCredit: Reuters
      The Three Lions face Malta on Friday at Wembley before a trip to North Macedonia for a fixture on Monday.
      Harwood-Bellis, 21, could make his England senior debut in either of the games if he is handed a squad place by Southgate.
      England confirmed that he was training with the side on social media.
      The official account shared a picture and wrote: “Under-21s skipper Taylor Harwood-Bellis joined the #ThreeLions for today’s session.
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      “Good to have you with us, Taylor! 👋
      The manager has lost defensive stars such as Lewis Dunk, Levi Colwill and John Stones due to injuries.
      The Englishman has already called up Ezri Konsa and Rico Lewis to help fill that hole.
      However, Harwood-Bellis could provide a bit more depth.
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      The defender has plenty of experience at the youth levels having captained England to the Uefa European Under-21 title in the summer.
      He was also named in the Team of the Tournament.
      He has made 20 appearances for the U21s as well as featuring for the U16, U17, U19 and U20 sides.
      The Manchester City prospect has been impressing on loan at Southampton in the Championship this season.
      He was also a part of the squad that helped Burnley win promotion to the Premier League last term. More

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      Newcastle star Anthony Gordon is wanted by rival nation after being snubbed by England boss Gareth Southgate

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      ANTHONY GORDON is wanted by Scotland to switch national allegiances after being snubbed by Gareth Southgate. The Newcastle winger has made 16 England Under-21 appearances and helped them win the European championships this year.
      Anthony Gordon is wanted by Scotland to switch national allegiancesCredit: Getty
      And despite four goals in the Premier League this season, it was not enough to earn Gordon a call up in Southgate’s latest senior squad.
      So according to the Daily Record, Scotland are hoping to tempt Gordon into switching international allegiances.
      The 22-year-old forward was born on Merseyside but qualifies to play for Scotland through his paternal grandparents.
      Elliot Anderson, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento are others said to have caught Scots bosses attention.
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      John Carver, No2 to Scotland manager Steve Clarke, admitted they are on the hunt for fresh talent.
      Carver said: “If someone’s got a relation who is Scottish, then we have to look at it.
      “It’s then down to what he decides but we are aware that these are big decisions about their future.
      “It’s no secret that Newcastle is my team and I watch them more than anybody.
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      “We are aware they have several outstanding players, who have never been capped by England at senior level, who qualify for Scotland.”
      Scotland travel to Georgia today in their latest Euro 2024 qualification match.
      They currently sit second in their group level on points with Spain. More

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      A £500 Amazon gift card MUST be won with Score Predictor this international break – here’s our tips!

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      IT might well be an international break – but there’s no break when it comes to Dream Team giving away amazing prizes.This week, they’re giving away a whopping £500 Amazon gift card which MUST be won by someone. What better time to scoop this sensational prize than just a few weeks before Christmas.
      Remember, you don’t have to correctly predict the exact scores of all five games to win the top prize – we’re not that cruel – you just have to beat the rest of the competition.

      PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S ACTION – SOMEBODY MUST WIN A £500 AMAZON GIFT CARD!

      Someone MUST win an Amazon gift card this week
      But it is an earlier start than normal, with Friday night’s England vs Malta clash the first selection – so don’t miss that 7.45pm deadline!
      Yet to take part in Score Predictor? There’s no better time to get involved.
      And if you haven’t yet played Score Predictor this season, here’s how the scoring works:

      Correct outcome +4 points
      Correct score +3 points
      Correct goals (home team) +1 point
      Correct goals (away team) +1 point
      Correct goal difference +1 point

      Score Predictor is completely free to play and it’s particularly fun to directly compete against your mates in Mini Leagues.
      It’s the season of goodwill after all, so here are our predictions for the five games you have to predict this week.
      England v Malta – Friday November 17
      This one should be a formality and the tricky part is surely guessing how many England will score.
      The reverse fixture was a 4-0 win over in Malta, helping England to 19 goals in just the six games played in this qualification group.
      The seven goals scored against North Macedonia helped with that, and pointless Malta aren’t as much of a test.
      Superstar Jude Bellingham misses out but there’s now a huge competition for places, so even a change in team shouldn’t prevent goals going in.
      Our prediction: England 6 Malta 0
      Harry Kane celebrates with Alexander-Arnold in 4-0 win over Malta

      Netherlands v Ireland – Saturday November 18
      Netherlands are in a battle for second spot with Greece as the pair sit on the same points.
      Greece have played a game more, though, so a win here should just about wrap that up for the Dutch.
      They’ve only won two of their last six internationals at home which isn’t great form – particularly with the wins coming against Greece and Gibraltar.
      But the Irish are just desperate for qualification to be over, picking up just six points from their six games.
      Reverse game was narrow 2-1 Dutch win, this could be more.
      Our prediction: Netherland 3 Ireland 0
      Armenia v Wales – Saturday November 18
      Armenia have lost their last three games – with Wales winning their last three.
      Armenia picked up a shock 4-2 win when the sides last met earlier in the group and the Welsh must surely be out for revenge.
      Wales sit in second in the group – joint on 10 points with Croatia – and need a win here to maintain that.
      Armenia still have it all to play for too just three points behind, but could fall short here.
      Our prediction: Armenia 1 Wales 2
      Scotland v Norway – Sunday November 19
      This game will be party time for Scotland and their supporters, with the first home game since clinching qualification.
      Might still have top spot to fight for depending on results earlier in the week and a win might well be needed.
      Norway have nothing to play for and the raucous Hampden support will help Steve Clarke’s fringe players push on again.
      Our prediction: Scotland 2 Norway 0
      Scotland boss Steve Clarke
      North Macedonia v England – Monday November 20
      Again, could be a matter of how many, team dependant.
      A good result in Malta game might see Southgate make one or two changes but squad deep enough to win this one quite comfortably.
      The hosts will want to avenge the 7-0 from earlier in the group and will not want lightning striking twice.
      Our prediction: North Macedonia 0 England 4
      Reckon you’d do better? Enter Score Predictor now and compete for that £500 prize!
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      The 10 superstars at risk of missing out on Euro 2024 including Erling Haaland with crucial qualifiers coming up

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      ERLING HAALAND is one of ten footballing superstars at risk of missing out on Euro 2024.The qualifiers for the tournament in Germany next year are almost at an end with some big nations yet to seal their spot.
      Erling Haaland could miss out on Euro 2024Credit: Kenny Ramsay
      Many countries such as England, Spain and France have already sealed their spots at the competition.
      Germany have not had to qualify as they are automatically in due to being the host nation.
      However nations such as Sweden, Norway and Croatia are still trying to earn their spots.
      They have crucial qualifying matches coming up in the current international break.
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      But should results go against them, then there could be some of the best players in the world absent from the Euros.
      Erling Haaland – Norway
      Haaland missed out on the World Cup in Qatar last year and is again facing being absent from an international tournament.
      The Manchester City striker won the Gerd Muller Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony for scoring the most goals in Europe last season.
      The Norwegian has continued his prolific form this season and will need to be at the top of his game to fire Norway to the Euro 2024 play-offs when they face Scotland away in their last qualifier.
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      Martin Odegaard – Norway
      Martin Odegaard may not be at Euro 2024Credit: Getty
      The Arsenal captian, like Haaland, missed out on the World Cup as Norway failed to qualify.
      Odegaard has become one of the standout players in the Premier League since his move to the Emirates from Real Madrid.
      He and Haaland will have to do it the hard way as Norway need to beat Scotland in order to hold off Georgia, who have a game in hand on them.
      Gianluigi Donnarumma – Italy
      Gianluigi Donnarumma and Italy may fail to defend their titleCredit: Getty
      Italy like Norway failed to make it to the World Cup in Qatar despite winning the Euros in 2021.
      Donnarumma is widely considered to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world, having already starred for AC Milan and PSG at the age of just 24.
      The stopper was the hero for Italy in the previous Euros as he helped them to a penalty shootout win over England at Wembley, but they face a huge clash with Ukraine on Monday that could see them miss out on second-place.
      Destiny Udogie – Italy
      Destiny Udogie has been one of the best young full-backs in EuropeCredit: Alamy
      Udogie was not a member of the Italy side that won the Euros but has become one of the most promising full backs in Europe.
      The Tottenham ace has cemented himself in Ange Postecoglou’s side after returning from his loan at Udinese last season.
      However, he will have to hope that his national team-mates can do the business without him against North Macedonia and the Ukraine as he is currently injured.
      Luka Modric – Croatia
      Luka Modric has been a regular at international tournamentsCredit: Alamy
      Modric has been a regular at international tournaments throughout his long career.
      The Real Madrid star, 38, however faces missing out on Euro 2024 with his side currently behind Wales in Group D.
      Modric had hoped to play in one more tournament after helping Croatia to a third-place finish in the World Cup in Qatar.
      Josko Gvardiol – Croatia
      Josko Gvardiol helped Croatia to third at the World Cup in QatarCredit: Getty
      Gvardiol was another member of the Croatia squad who impressed in Qatar as they beat Morocco to finish third.
      The defender gained many plaudits for his performances and earned a big move to Manchester City in the summer.
      Gvardiol and Co still have a chance of making it to Germany, but must face Latvia and Armenia first.
      Alexander Isak – Sweden
      Alexander Isak plays for Sweden on the international stageCredit: Getty
      Alexander Isak has become one of the most prolific strikers in the Premier League since his move to Newcastle from Real Sociedad.
      The Swedish international and his team-mates however will have to battle in the play-offs in order to make it to the tournament.
      But first in order to make it that far they will have to pick up wins against Azerbaijan and Estonia.
      Dejan Kulusevski – Sweden
      Dejan Kulusevski has scored three goals for SwedenCredit: Getty
      Kulusevski has been a regular for Tottenham since he joined the club from Juventus.
      The winger will need to improve his form for Sweden to help them qualify.
      He has only managed three goals in 33 appearances for his national side and could do with a couple in their next two fixtures.
      Robert Lewandowski – Poland
      Robert Lewandowski has been a regular on the international stageCredit: Getty
      Lewandowski is one of the most prolific strikers in Europe having starred for the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and now Barcelona.
      The striker, 35, has never really hit his best form during an international tournament however.
      Now approaching the end of his career, the Pole would likely want one last attempt at winning something on the national stage.
      Evan Ferguson – Ireland
      Evan Ferguson and Ireland will be looking to make it through the play-offsCredit: Reuters
      From one of the veterans of football to one of the most promising young starlets.
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      Ferguson, 19, is one of the most highly-rated strikers in the Premier League due to his performances for Brighton and Hove Albion.
      Ireland’s hopes of making it to Euro 2024 hinge on the play-offs but a win against Holland will boost their chances of making it that far. More

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      Tottenham star Ben Davies always believed Wales could reach Euro 2024 – and two wins will do it

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      BEN DAVIES never believed Wales’ Euro 2024 dream was over.Against all the odds, the Dragons lie two wins away from automatic qualification for Germany next summer, starting in Armenia on Saturday.
      Harry Wilson scores twice in Wales’ superb 2-1 win over Croatia to put Euro 2024 qualification in their own handsCredit: Rex
      Boss Robert Page has already led Wales at a Euros and World Cup – and is bidding for a third successive major tournamentCredit: Alamy
      Wales suffered a shock 4-2 home Group D defeat to the same opposition in June as well as away to Turkey.
      And chief executive Noel Mooney planned to review boss Robert Page’s position as manager if they didn’t finish in the top two.
      But last month’s superb 2-1 victory over Croatia galvanised the Welsh and put them into second place above the World Cup semi-finalists on a better head-to-head.
      Now success for Page’s men in Yerevan followed by another win against already-qualified Turkey in Cardiff next Tuesday would book a fourth major tournament finals spot in five attempts.
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      Tottenham defender Davies, stand-in skipper for the injured Aaron Ramsey, said: “We never stopped believing in this group. It was disappointing to lose at home and a real wake-up call.
      “If you switch off and aren’t at your best, you get punished. We won’t be making that mistake again.
      “We’ve had our backs against the wall and we’ve given ourselves a chance. It’s quite clear the second game doesn’t matter if the first one doesn’t go our way.
      “It’s full focus on Armenia. If we don’t get the result then the Turkey one is irrelevant.
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      “We can get a result against anyone – we’ve shown that. It’s another huge chance we’ve got. 
      “Growing up it was a dream of Welsh football to be going to these major tournaments. That dream still exists. Once you qualify, it gives people the chance to dream. 
      “We’ve come into every camp with the focus of getting to these major tournaments with the belief we can do it.
      “We don’t want to sit on the success and say: ‘OK, we’ve been there and had a nice time’.
      “We’ve had a great run so far, but once you get a taste of it you want to do it again. That’s exactly where we are as a group this time.”
      Davies, 30, delivered a rousing ‘huddle’ speech following the Croatia triumph inspired by two-goal hero Harry Wilson.
      Evoking the words of Dafydd Iwan’s Yma O Hyd – the 1980s folk protest song which has been adopted by Wales’ Red Wall as an anthem – Davies declared his team-mates must never give up.
      Davies, who is set to win his 83rd cap, added: “It was just a case of showing the reason why we’re here.
      “People doubted us again but we’re still standing.
      “We’re standing up against the challenges and here we are with two games to go still in the fight.”
      Wales reached Euro 2020 under previous boss Ryan Giggs by winning their final two matches, away to Azerbaijan and then at home to Hungary, in November 2019.
      In the post-Gareth Bale era, Davies – one of four survivors along with Ramsey and keepers Danny Ward and Wayne Hennessey from the Euro 2016 squad which reached the semi-finals – said: “There are similarities from the last time we qualified.
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      “It’s a tight group and they’re always going to come down to the last games.
      “Most of us have been in this situation before and it’s an opportunity for us to do it again. We’re ready for it.” More

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      Jude Bellingham and Levi Colwill follow three other England aces in WITHDRAWING from squad ahead of Euro 2024 qualifiers

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM and Levi Colwill have both withdrawn from the England squad.The duo will now miss the final Euro 2024 qualifying matches during the international break.
      Jude Bellingham has withdrawn from the England teamCredit: Getty
      Levi Colwill is also out due to injuryCredit: Getty
      The Three Lions face Malta on Friday before travelling to North Macedonia for the match on Monday.
      Bellingham and Colwill will now miss the games due to shoulder injuries.
      They will return to their clubs, Real Madrid and Chelsea, to receive treatment for their problems.
      The two had become important players for the side in recent games.
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      Bellingham’s presence in midfield was crucial in wins over Italy, Ukraine and Scotland.
      Colwill however, had become a decent left-back option for manager Gareth Southgate as he covered for Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell.
      The withdrawals were confirmed by England Football in a statement.
      It read: “Jude Bellingham and Levi Colwill will play no part in England’s forthcoming UEFA EURO 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.
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      “The pair arrived at St. George’s Park for assessments on Monday but will now return to Real Madrid and Chelsea respectively to continue their rehabilitation.”
      Reports in Spain have claimed that Real Madrid did “not trust” England over Bellingham.
      It comes as a fresh blow to manager Gareth Southgate, who already had three players drop out due to injuries.
      James Maddison, Lewis Dunk and Callum Wilson had already pulled out of the team.
      As a result, Southgate offered first-ever call-ups to Cole Palmer, Rico Lewis and Ezri Konsa to the national team.
      This could see the manager name some experimental line-ups for the two matches. More