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Raheem Sterling sits out England’s World Cup clash with Senegal, and may have flown home as he “deals with a family matter” away from the team in Qatar.
Raheem Sterling has been omitted from the squad for England’s round of 16 tie with Senegal while dealing with a family matter.
England confirmed the 27-year-old would not take part in Sunday’s game in a statement issued 90 minutes before kick-off.
It was unclear if he would play the African champions given the form of Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford in his position, but sources have indicated to sports mail that Sterling could have flown home.
England have been in Qatar for almost three weeks and Sterling started his first games against Iran and the USA, playing 139 minutes in the two games.
He was an unused substitute when Gareth Southgate made changes for the final group game against Wales.
Raheem Sterling has been left out of the England squad to face Senegal on Sunday night
Sterling (pictured right) with his girlfriend Paige Milian (middle) and their three children
Sterling, who scored in the first game against Iran, is out due to a family matter
Sources have told Sportsmail that Sterling (right) may have flown home from Qatar
On Wednesday England confirmed that defender Ben White had left the group and flown home due to a personal issue.
The FA confirmed that the defender, who had yet to play for Gareth Southgate’s Qatar side, has left the team’s training ground at Al Wakrah.
His statement added that White was not expected to return to Qatar.
Sterling started the opening games against Iran and the USA, playing 139 minutes in the two
There was no guarantee that Sterling (left) would have started against Senegal given the fierce competition in attacking position from Bukayo Saka (right), Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden.
“Ben White left England’s training base at Al Wakrah and returned home for personal reasons,” the statement read.
The Arsenal defender is not expected to return to the team for the remainder of the tournament.
“We ask that player privacy be respected at this time.”
His club, Arsenal, tweeted on Wednesday night: “We’re all with you Ben.”
England defender Ben White has gone home from the World Cup for ‘personal reasons’
England face African champions Senegal in the round of 16 on Sunday knowing victory sets up a glamorous quarter-final with France, after they beat Poland 3-1 earlier in the day.
Southgate made a change from the Welsh rout, replacing two-goal scorer Rashford with Saka.