Two England stars PULL OUT of Gareth Southgate's squad as injury crisis deepens - and Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips delay joining up with the team for 'personal reasons'

England have announced two of their star players will leave St George's Park later today after pulling out of Gareth Southgate's squad for this month's Euro 2024 qualifiers due to injury. 

The statement released by the Three Lions on Tuesday morning confirmed that Jude Bellingham and Levi Colwill would play no part in England's fixtures against Malta and North Macedonia after being deemed unfit.  

Bellingham and Colwill - who both sat out their club games over the weekend due to shoulder injuries - linked up with Southgate's squad at St George's Park on Monday afternoon. 

The pair under went assessments by the England medical staff before being told they would play no part in the forthcoming fixtures because of the status of their injuries.  

Instead, Bellingham and Colwill were told they would return to their respective clubs - Real Madrid and Chelsea - to continue their rehabilitation.   

'Jude Bellingham and Levi Colwill will play no part in England's forthcoming UEFA EURO 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia,' an England squad update read. 

'The pair arrived at St George's Park for assessments on Monday but will now return to their clubs to continue their rehabilitation. Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips will meet up later this week owing to personal matters.'

Bellingham has been suffering with a shoulder injury that ruled him out of miss Real Madrid's LaLiga clash against Valencia on the weekend. 

Real Madrid posted the following statement ahead of their 5-1 win over Valencia: 'After the tests carried out today on our player Jude Bellingham, he has been diagnosed with anterior instability of his left shoulder, a consequence of his recent dislocation.'

The statement finished by saying: 'Bellingham is out for today's [Saturday's] match against Valencia.'

Colwill has also struggled with a shoulder injury and missed Chelsea's clash with Manchester City as a result. Therefore, Marc Cucurella stepped in to replace him at left-back.

Colwill - who had started every Premier League game so far this season under Mauricio Pochettino - will be left feeling some frustrated after picking up the injury during Chelsea's 4-1 win over Tottenham.

The status of their injuries will come as a blow to Southgate given the fact James Maddison, Callum Wilson and Lewis Dunk have also pulled out of the squad with their own issues. 

As a result, the Three Lions boss called up Rico Lewis, Cole Palmer and Ezri Konsa to the England squad for the first time after being impressed with their club performances. 

However, Southgate hasn't decided against bring in any other players to replace Bellingham and Colwill - leaving England with a 23-man squad for their home game against Malta and away game against North Macedonia. 

Southgate is also waiting on the arrival of Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips as they have been afforded more time at home to deal some 'personal matters', according to the statement released on Tuesday. 

Thankfully for Southgate, England have already assured on their place at next summer’s Euro 2024 finals in Germany. But, the Three Lions are looking to establish themselves a top seed when the draw is made in Hamburg next month. 

Therefore, beating both Malta and North Macedonia later this month is vital to achieving that goal.