Jack Wilshere’s hopes of earning a first international cap since Euro 2016 have been dashed after he returned to Arsenal with a knee injury.
The midfielder did not travel to Amsterdam with Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Friday’s friendly against the Netherlands because of what the manager said was a tendon problem. Wilshere is having treatment with Arsenal and Southgate has not ruled the 26-year-old out of Tuesday’s game at home to Italy.
Wilshere had been hoping that the game in the Netherlands would bring him a 35th cap and his first since the ignominious defeat by Iceland in Nice. He had spoken this week of his eagerness to return to the fold with the national team having regained form and fitness with Arsenal since late November.
Wilshere started the training session at the national football centre on Thursday but was withdrawn from the squad that travelled to Birmingham International airport.
Southgate has confirmed that Everton’s Jordan Pickford will start in goal in Amsterdam, beating off competition from Jack Butland, Joe Hart and Nick Pope.
Southgate said: “He is very quick around his goal, capable of making big saves and his distribution is outstanding. It is a great opportunity for him. He played well against Germany in November.”