Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling withdraws from England squad with injury

Manchester City star Raheem Sterling has pulled out of the England squad that will play two Eurpean Qualifying matches for the 2018 World Cup due to an injury, and has been replaced by Crystal Pallace winger Andros Townsend.

According to reports, Sterling has a minor calf injury and decided to withdraw and recover properly from the issue in order to be ready for club football in two weeks, when City face Everton in the Premier League before a Champions League trip to Barcelona.

Sterling has played fantastic football and has been one of the stars of City's fantastic start to the season ever since Pep Guardiola took over. Sterling's only bad performance was on Sunday's loss to Tottenham Hotspur, but the entire team struggled on that game.

Raheem was one of three Citizens called up by interim England manager Gareth Southgate, along with City loanee Joe Hart and defender John Stones. England will face Malta and Slovenia next week.