STONES UNTURNED
JOHN STONES has pulled out of the England squad due to an injury.
The Manchester City defender suffered a muscle issue in the warm-up ahead of Saturday’s 2-1 win over Switzerland at Wembley with Ben White taking his place in the team.
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Manager Gareth Southgate hoped Stones would recover in time to feature against Ivory Coast in a friendly tomorrow.
The centre-back trained this morning at Tottenham’s HQ but still felt pain so has returned to his club today for further treatment.
Harry Maguire and Tyrone Mings are set to face Ivory Coast in central defence.
It will be England’s last friendly before the World Cup as the next six matches are all Uefa Nations League games.
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The draw for the World Cup is in Doha this Friday.
Southgate fielded an inexperienced back line against the Swiss on Saturday.
Arsenal star White earned just his third cap, while he was joined by nine-cap Conor Coady and debutant Marc Guehi in a back-three.
Kyle Walker-Peters earned his first cap at right wing-back, while Tyrick Mitchell replaced Luke Shaw on the hour mark to make his senior England bow.
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The Three Lions fell behind in the first-half when Breel Embolo struck beyond Jordan Pickford.
But they would rally before the break, with Luke Shaw levelling on the stroke of half-time.
Skipper Harry Kane grabbed the winner 12 minutes from time, converting from the penalty spot after a handball was called.
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