England and Manchester City have both confirmed defender John Stones has left the squad and returned to his club as a precaution due to injury
Stones was supposed to start against Switzerland in Saturday’s 2-1 triumph at Wembley, but he got a knock in warm-up and was substituted by Arsenal’s Ben White.
Stones will not play for England against the Ivory Coast on Tuesday night, according to a City statement: “The FA have this evening confirmed John Stones has left the England camp and returned to City.”
Stones is an England regular, but he has battled to get playing time for his club.
City are still in pole position to win the Premier League championship, thanks to a center-back duo of Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte. Stones, on the other hand, has only started nine league games this season.
With the 27-year-old out of the Ivory Coast game, White may make his fourth England debut. Manager Gareth Southgate’s other alternatives are Harry Maguire, Conor Coady, Tyrone Mings, and Marc Guehi.
The centre-back has returned to Manchester City and will play no part of the Three Lions second friendly during this break against Cote d’Ivoire.
See More: