Jude Bellingham a major doubt for England’s upcoming Euro qualifiers with Real Madrid midfielder struggling with a shoulder injury as Gareth Southgate braces himself for host of withdrawals

Jude Bellingham leads a cast of doubts ahead of England’s final two Euro 2024 qualifiers.

Head coach Gareth Southgate is bracing himself for a host withdrawals ahead of Friday’s clash against Malta at Wembley and then next Monday’s game in North Macedonia.

Real Madrid star Bellingham is among those Southgate is sweating on ahead of players’ expected arrivals at St George’s Park.

The midfielder is suffering with a shoulder injury that caused him to miss the weekend La Liga clash against Valencia. Real say Bellingham will miss the next two weeks.

Newcastle striker Callum Wilson is also expected to pull-out with a hamstring injury, while Brighton centre-back Lewis Dunk is a carrying a groin problem that caused him to miss yesterday’s draw against Sheffield United.

England manager Gareth Southgate is bracing himself for a host withdrawals

Levi Colwill is hopeful of being passed fit to play for England after missing Chelsea’s pulsating 4-4 draw with Manchester City yesterday with a shoulder socket problem, while Conor Gallagher received lengthy treatment on an ankle injury but finished the game.

Tottenham attacker James Maddison has already withdrawn from the squad after suffering a long-term ankle injury in last Monday’s defeat against Chelsea.

It remains to be seen whether Southgate drafts in replacements for any pull-outs with Eddie Nketiah, Anthony Gordon, Eberechi Eze, Cole Palmer and Jarrad Branthwaite among the players on Southgate’s radar.

Experienced duo Raheem Sterling and James Ward-Prowse, who are both in excellent form for their clubs, will also be hoping for the call should Southgate decide to draft in reinforcements.