Saka and Jones withdraw from England´s Nations League squad

England have confirmed that Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Liverpool’s Curtis Jones have withdrawn from the squad ahead of their Nations League clash with Finland on Sunday.

Saka was replaced by Noni Madueke in the 51st minute during England’s shock 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley on Thursday after picking up an injury in his right leg.

It only adds to Mikel Arteta’s injury worries ahead of facing Bournemouth next Saturday after Martin Odegaard was injured on international duty for Norway last month.

Saka has enjoyed a fine start to the Premier League campaign, scoring two goals and laying on a further seven assists in the Gunners’ opening seven games.

The England international has also created more chances (27) than any other player in the division, with his nine goal involvements a total only bettered by Chelsea’s Cole Palmer (11) and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (10).

Lee Carsley will also be without uncapped Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, who was added to the Three Lions squad earlier this week, but has since withdrawn due to a personal commitment.

Jones earned his first call-up in May as part of Gareth Southgate’s provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2024, but did not make the final cut.

The 23-year-old was part of the Young Lions side that won the 2023 European Under-21 Championship under Carsley, scoring the only goal in their 1-0 win over Spain in the final.

An update from #ThreeLions camp as @BukayoSaka87 and @curtisjr_10 withdraw from the squad.

22 players will train this morning before @MarcGuehi13 joins Lee Carsley for the pre-match media conference in Helsinki at 6.30pm (UK).

— England (@England) October 12, 2024