WARSAW: England striker Jermain Defoe has returned home from England’s Krakow base at Euro 2012 after the death of his father. The Football Association said he was expected to return at some point and no replacement is being called up by manager Roy Hodgson.

A statement read: “Jermain Defoe has returned home to England this morning following the passing of his father overnight. It is not known at this point whether he will be back prior to Monday’s Group D opener against France in Donetsk. Jermain will re-join the England Euro squad in due course. There will be no replacement player called in.”

** Spain has applied for permission for their players to wear black armbands in their opening game in tribute to Villarreal coach Manuel Preciado who died, aged 54, from a heart attack on Wednesday – just one day after being appointed by the relegated club.

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