Alessia Russo withdraws from England squad through injury | OneFootball

Alessia Russo has withdrawn from the England squad for the October international break due to a small injury.

The Manchester United forward missed the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup penalty shootout defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend, and she will remain with her club to continue her rehabilitation.

England boss Sarina Wiegman has not called up a replacement for Russo.

England face World Champions the USWNT at a sold out Wembley on Friday 7 October, before taking on the Czech Republic in Brighton on Tuesday 11 October.

Russo's withdrawal means England are without their two main striking options from Euro 2022, following Ellen White's retirement this summer.

Lauren James and Ebony Salmon, who have just a pair of senior caps between them, are the only out-and-out strikers in England's squad for the October camp.

The other forwards selected are predominantly wide players or number 10s: Manchester City's Lauren Hemp, Arsenal's Beth Mead, Chelsea's Fran Kirby and Everton's Jess Park.

Rachel Daly - who has largely been utilised as a fullback under Wiegman - is also in the squad, having been deployed as a forward throughout her club career. The 30-year-old has made a flying start to her Aston Villa career, netting four goals in her first three outings for her new club.