England cap in line for Tottenham’s Harry Kane as Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge hurt

England manager Roy Hodgson suffered a double injury blow on Monday as the Football Association confirmed Liverpool duo Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana had withdrawn from his squad for the forthcoming matches against Lithuania and Italy.

Sturridge was forced to return to Liverpool after scans showed the striker wouldn’t be fit to feature in Friday’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley and next week’s friendly against Italy in Turin.

The 25-year-old was reported to have sustained a hip problem during Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.

With Sturridge, who scored in the United match, already having been ruled out for several months after suffering a thigh injury while training with England earlier this season, Hodgson and his medical team were understandably keen not to take any risks with the player’s fitness.

“Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has left the England squad and returned home to his club on Monday evening,” an FA statement confirmed.

“This follows a scan on an injury that he sustained during Liverpool’s game against Manchester United on Sunday.

“The England medical team took the decision on Monday evening having assessed Daniel following the squad’s arrival at St George’s Park on Monday afternoon.”

Sturridge's absence could mean a first cap for in-form Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, who took his goal tally for the season to 29 with a hat-trick against Leicester City on Saturday.

Kane is in the senior England squad for the first time and will be competing with Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck for the job of partnering captain Wayne Rooney in Hodgson’s forward line against Lithuania.

To add to Hodgson’s misfortune, Liverpool midfielder Lallana also withdrew from the squad after suffering a groin injury against United that forced him to come off at half-time.

Lallana was replaced by Tottenham’s emerging young midfielder Ryan Mason, who was called up for the first time.

The 23-year-old, who has enjoyed a breakthrough season in central midfield for Tottenham, will also provide cover for Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph, who is suffering from a stomach bug.

Mason was loaned to third tier club Swindon Town last season, but he has played 29 times for Tottenham under new manager Mauricio Pochettino this term.

His last appearance in an England shirt came in 2011 when he played for the Under 20s against France.

“Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Ryan Mason has been drafted into Roy Hodgson’s England squad,” an FA statement read.

“The inclusion of the 23-year-old follows the withdrawal of Liverpool’s Adam Lallana through injury.

“Mason, a regular for Spurs this season, has previously represented the Three Lions at U19 and U20 level.

“Lallana wasn’t the only absentee as the senior squad gathered at St George’s Park on Monday afternoon in preparation for the forthcoming fixtures against Lithuania and Italy.

“Aston Villa’s Fabian Delph remained at home with a sickness bug but is expected to link up with the team later this week.”

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