Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has been ruled out of England’s game against Moldova scheduled for Friday with a thigh injury.
The injury was sustained prior to Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United and is not believed to be serious. It is unclear whether the striker will be fit for the game against Ukraine next Tuesday.
Sturridge has been in sublime form for Liverpool this season scoring three goals in three games putting Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.
The player did show up for training with his England teammates at St George’s Park on Monday but concerns over his fitness prompted the team medical staff to hold the striker out of training and provide additional treatment. He will be further evaluated over the weekend to determine whether he will be fit to take on Ukraine.
With Sturridge out of the mix, England boss Roy Hodgson will consider starting Danny Welbeck alongside Rickie Lambert, who the manager has already named as one of the starters. Hodgson also has Jermaine Defoe available against Moldova but he is likely to start from the bench.
Sturridge joins a growing list of England players who have been ruled out of Friday’s game, the list includes Wayne Rooney, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Phil Jones, Glen Johnson and Steven Caulker.