Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford ruled out of England's World Cup qualifiers with muscle injury

  • Jordan Pickford withdraws from World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia
  • England stopper will be assessed by Everton after sustaining a muscle injury 
  • 23-year-old linked up with the squad on Sunday before returning to Merseyside
  • Gareth Southgate will not name a replacement with three keepers in squad

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has been ruled out of England's squad for the World Cup qualifiers with Malta and Slovakia due to a muscle injury, the Football Association has announced.

Pickford has left St George's Park and will be further assessed by Everton's medical staff at Finch Farm.

The 23-year-old has made a fine start to life at Goodison Park following his £30million move from Sunderland this summer, a British transfer record for a goalkeeper. 

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has been ruled out of England's World Cup qualifiers

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has been ruled out of England's World Cup qualifiers

Pickford played in Everton's 2-0 defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon

A Football Association statement read: 'Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has left the England camp and returned to Everton.


'Having reported to St George's Park on Sunday evening, the 23-year-old underwent an assessment on a muscle injury sustained playing for his club.

'After discussions between England and Everton medics, it was decided it was in the player's best interests to return to Finch Farm for further treatment.' 

Pickford played in Everton's 2-0 defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge where he was kept busy by the Premier League champions in sweltering conditions in west London. 

Everton will hope the injury is not too serious after a fine start to his career on Merseyside

West Ham keeper Joe Hart is expected to face a fight to keep hold of his England No 1 jersey

West Ham keeper Joe Hart is expected to face a fight to keep hold of his England No 1 jersey

The uncapped 23-year-old linked up with the squad later that day and would have expected to vie for a starting place this week but a muscular injury sustained at the weekend means he has returned to the Toffees.

England manager Gareth Southgate had already named three others goalkeepers in his squad - Joe Hart, Jack Butland and Tom Heaton - so has not named a replacement. 

Pickford, who went a went a club-record 352 minutes without conceding a goal after making his competitive Toffees debut, has represented England at every age group from Under 15 through to Under 21. 

Everton boss Ronald Koeman will hope the injury is not too serious after watching the former Sunderland stopper excel in his first few months at the club, keeping four clean sheets in seven games and saving a penalty as Everton sealed their progress to the Europa League group stage with a draw at Hajduk Split.

Jack Butland (left) is keen to take the England No 1 jersey over the international break

Jack Butland (left) is keen to take the England No 1 jersey over the international break

Burnley keeper Tom Heaton is the third option with Fraser Forster of Southampton overlooked

Burnley keeper Tom Heaton is the third option with Fraser Forster of Southampton overlooked