Danny Welbeck out of Italy game with knee injury

The Arsenal forward limped out of Friday's 4-0 win against Lithuania, and will miss Tuesday's friendly in Turin. Welbeck was voted man of the match for a goalscoring performance but went off on 77 minutes.

His absence paves the way for Harry Kane to start up front alongside Wayne Rooney against Italy. There has been no confirmation of the severity of Welbeck's injury, or whether he will miss any playing time for Arsenal.

Manager Roy Hodgson said after Friday's game: "It was a good night, apart from (Welbeck's) injury which has soured it a little bit for us. I hope it is not too serious but it will probably keep him out of Tuesday's friendly against Italy."

England will also be without Raheem Sterling, James Milner and Leighton Baines for the Italy clash. Sterling had already been told he could return to the Liverpool base due to an on-going toe condition, and Manchester City’s Milner and Everton man Baines have also been released.

“So those four players won't be with us going forward but it means a chance for the other guys in the squad to show what they can do,” added Hodgson.

“We are going to bring Ryan Bertrand in because with Leighton Baines gone we are now left with only one recognised left-back, which is Kieran Gibbs. We wanted two recognised left-backs for both games.”

OUR VIEW: Welbeck was assumed to be the natural fall guy for Harry Kane, but delivered a superb performance against Lithuania. Tuesday's match is only a friendly, but Welbeck's absence could be costly if Kane and Wayne Rooney strike up a rapport up front. The withdrawal seems more precautionary than anything, but Arsenal fans will be crossing their fingers that Welbeck is fit in time for next Saturday's game against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.