Ryan Bertrand withdraws from England squad with back issue to allow Danny Rose or Ashley Young to stake a claim for left-back role

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England suffered a key injury blow on Tuesday night when Southampton left back Ryan Bertrand quit the squad to face Holland and Italy.

The defender — first choice for his country at the end of 2017 — did not train at St George’s Park and will return to his club. Southampton have a key Premier League match at fellow strugglers West Ham on March 31.

Bertrand’s absence will allow fit-again Danny Rose or Ashley Young to stake a claim for the position. 

Ryan Bertrand has made 19 appearances for England since making his debut in 2012

28-year-old Bertrand was named in Gareth Southgate's 27-man squad for the World Cup warm-ups. He helped Southampton to a 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory against Wigan on Sunday but has now returned to the club as a precautionary measure. 

A Football Association statement read: 'Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand has returned to his club for further assessment on a back issue.

'Bertrand's withdrawal is a precautionary measure and he will play no part in the forthcoming fixtures against the Netherlands and Italy.'

Under-fire Manchester United left back Luke Shaw is among the options to replace Bertrand

Young and Rose remain left-back options in the England squad. Under-fire Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw is among the options to replace Bertrand if Southgate decides to call up an extra player.

Meanwhile, Adam Lallana and Jack Wilshere had separate indoor training sessions but are expected to be available for the game in Amsterdam on Friday.

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is in Aidy Boothroyd’s Under-21 squad, trained with the senior squad while Watford’s Nathaniel Chalobah, who has a long-term knee injury, was welcomed back into the fold by manager Gareth Southgate.