Liverpool ace out of England squad with Spurs and Man Utd men battling to replace him



James Milner (right) has pulled out of England duty with a hamstring injury



LIVERPOOL'S James Milner is to withdraw from England’s squad for the games with Spain and France to leave Roy Hodgon’s options further depleted.

 

The midfielder will miss Liverpool’s game with Crystal Palace today due to a hamstring injury he sustained in the Europa League win over Rubin Kazan.

And it is serious enough to cause him to pull-out of the friendlies in Alicante and Wembley over the course of the next nine days.

 

His absence will represent a further blow to Hodgson, who has seen his squad decimated by injury especially in midfield where Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson are both still missing.

Hodgson could consider bolstering his squad with Tottenham youngsters Dele Alli and Eric Dier among his options in midfield along with Fabian Delph, who has so far played just nine minutes since injuring his hamstring for England against Switzerland back in September.

England are keen for Michael Carrick – who has not played for England since the 1-1 draw with Italy back in March - to start against Spain.