Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka will miss England's international friendly against Japan on Tuesday night and return to Arsenal for a 'medical assessment'. As well as the two leading Gunners' figures, Noni Madueke will also not be involved at Wembley on Tuesday night after his injury was confirmed as a 'knock'.
The Arsenal trio are part of an eight player group who will be leaving the Three Lions camp and heading back to their clubs. Madueke was substituted in the first half during England's 1-1 draw with Uruguay after a fierce tackle forced him off.
Rice and Saka will also not be involved for Thomas Tuchel's side. A statement from the England camp said both players will be heading back to the capital for "medical assessment" despite not featuring for England against Uruguay.
The Three Lions camp wrote: "A revised England squad of 27 players are preparing for Tuesday’s fixture with Japan at Wembley Stadium.
"In total, eight players are due to leave camp, including Aaron Ramsdale, Fikayo Tomori and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
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"John Stones is returning to Manchester City for assessment after picking up an issue in training prior to Friday night’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay.
"Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Arsenal’s Noni Madueke have gone back to their clubs with knocks picked up during the match.
"Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka will also return to Arsenal for medical assessment, having arrived on Friday along with nine other players.
"The rest of that group comprised of Dean Henderson, Nico O’Reilly, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, Dan Burn, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane."
Neither Saka nor Rice played a role in the draw with Uruguay. They were part of a group of 11 players Tuchel decided to leave out against Marcelo Bielsa's side with a view of linking up with the squad to face Japan at Wembley.
However, Rice and Saka will now not be involved against the Japanese. This may come as a relief to Mikel Arteta, who would have been hoping and praying not to suffer any big injuries ahead of a crucial conclusion to the campaign.
At present, there is no reason to believe Rice or Saka will not be available after the international break for Arsenal's FA Cup quarter-final clash against Southampton. However, there is concerns about Madueke after he was seen with his leg in a brace on Friday night.
Tuchel was furious by the sight of Uruguay's Rodrigo Aguirre flying into Madueke with an intense slide tackle which left him reeling on the turf. The ex-Chelsea manager said: “I'm worried, of course. Very sad and upset and hopefully it's not a big injury.”
