Tottenham Hotspur defender Kieran Trippier has withdrawn from the England national squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia. The right-back wanted to be fully fit and not risk aggravating his injury.

The FA’s official website announced that the 26-year-old Spurs defender arrived at the England base with a knock and that he did not taken part in training, the entire week.

Trippier is now all set to return to Tottenham and focus on recovering in time for the Premier League season. When action resumes after the international break, Spurs will be up against Everton at Goodison Park on September 9 and the former Burnley man is hoping to be fully fit for that trip.

England manager Gareth Southgate has not announced any replacement yet, as he plans to play his strongest side against Malta. The Three Lions are trying to consolidate their top spot in Group F ahead of the tough match against Slovakia.

England, as things stand now, hold a two-point lead over the second-placed Slovakian side whom they face at the Wembley on September 4. Trippier will not be a part of this match either. His place in the first team could now go to (*cough cough*) Kyle Walker.

Trippier is supposed to play a key role for Mauricio Pochettino as he targets to get the season back on track. Tottenham have not had the best of starts, picking up just four points from the three PL matches so far. The poor scoring form of Harry Kane isn’t helping matters either, not that Harry has had a wonderful record in ‘Augusts’ in his career.

We just hope that Trippier’s injury is not serious to rule him out further. The right-back missed the first match of the season when Kyle Walker-Peters deputised for him and did very well. Pochettino also has the comfort of calling upon latest recruit Serge Aurier who joined us on the deadline day, from Paris Saint-Germain.

I hope Trippier’s injury is not bad but even if it is, there is enough cover for Pochettino.