A hamstring injury has forced James Milner to pull out of the England squad of the upcoming friendly double-header against Spain and France.
The Liverpool midfielder, who has 57 caps, lasted an hour of the Reds' Europa League victory in Rubin Kazan last Thursday before being replaced by compatriot Adam Lallana.
Milner then missed the weekend defeat to Crystal Palace and will be absent for Roy Hodgson's side as they face two tough tests in their last fixtures of a successful 2015.
The 29-year-old featured in six of England's European Championship qualifying games as they topped Group E with a 100 per cent record to book their place at France 2016 - with the hosts travelling to Wembley for a friendly on November 17.
First up for Hodgson's squad, reduced to 22 with no replacement called up for Milner, is another stern examination of their tournament credentials as they face Spain in Alicante on Friday night.
With Milner out, Dele Alli could be in line for his first senior start having picked up two caps as a substitute last month and his Tottenham team-mate Eric Dier will also be hoping to make his England debut over the course of the two matches.
Hodgson has warned his squad he will not risk taking any unfit players to France - and there are plenty currently on the sidelines with Milner joining the likes of Phil Jagielka, Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Danny Ings, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck in being out injured at present.
Source: PA
