LONDON: Jude Bellingham and Levi Colwill have withdrawn from the England squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.

Both Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham and Chelsea defender Colwill have shoulder injuries.

Five players have now pulled out of Gareth Southgate’s initial squad for the games on 17 and 20 November.

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford and Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips will meet up with the squad later this week for personal reasons.

Manager Southgate will not add to the squad for Malta’s visit to Wembley on Friday and the trip to North Macedonia on Monday.

England have already qualified for next summer’s European Championship and one more win will assure them of top spot in Group C and being one of the top seeds in Germany.

On Monday Cole Palmer, Ezri Konsa and Rico Lewis replaced the injured James Maddison, Callum Wilson and Lewis Dunk.

Chelsea forward Palmer and Manchester City defender Lewis have been elevated from the England Under-21 squad.

England play Malta on 17 November and North Macedonia on 20 November.

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is a doubt for the games because of a shoulder injury.

“The majority of Gareth Southgate’s squad are due to report to St George’s Park on Monday with further assessments to take place,” said an England statement.

Palmer, 21, was part of the England U21 side which won the European Championship in the summer and has been in impressive form for Chelsea this season. He joined the Blues from Manchester City in the summer and converted the stoppage-time equalising penalty against his former side in Sunday’s thrilling 4-4 Premier League draw.

Lewis, 18, was a member of the City side who won the treble last season.

Aston Villa defender Konsa, 26, won the Under-20 World Cup with England in 2017 and has helped his club side to fifth in the Premier League this season.

England have already qualified for the European Championship in Germany next June and July after a 3-1 win against Italy in October.

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