Spurs duo Townsend and Walker called as Stones pulls out

Tuesday 06 Oct 2015
Spurs duo Kyle Walker and Andros Townsend join up with England squad

The England senior squad convened at St. George's Park on Tuesday to get ready for their final two Euro 2016 Qualifiers.

Having originally named a 24-man squad for their double-header against Estonia at Wembley Stadium on Friday night, and then Monday in Lithuania, Roy Hodgson was forced into a change.

Everton defender John Stones, who missed the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Sunday, has been ruled out due to injury.

England v Estonia

UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifier
7.45pm, Friday 9 October 2015
Wembley Stadium connected by EE
Buy tickets here

Meanwhile, as Hodgson’s team trained on the immaculate turf at St. George’s Park on Tuesday afternoon, three players sat out of the session.

Captain Wayne Rooney, first-time call-up Danny Ings and midfielder Jonjo Shelvey did not train after picking up knocks for their clubs at the weekend.

They will be monitored ahead of Friday's meeting with the Estonians at Wembley, when already more than 75,000 fans expected to attend the game.

John Stones in England training

John Stones has been ruled out of this week's double-header

The injury to Stones, and the doubts over Rooney, Ings and Shelvey, meant that Hodgson decided to bring in Tottenham Hotspur duo Andros Townsend and Kyle Walker to bolster his numbers.

Townsend last featured against Slovenia in June, while Walker won his 11th cap in the March friendly draw in Italy.

England have already secured top spot in Group E, but if they can claim two more wins this week it will see them complete their European Qualification campaign with a 100 per cent record.

Tickets are still available for the game on Friday and you can buy online via www.TheFA.com/tickets. 

By Jamie Bradbury FA Editor at St. George's Park