Kieran Trippier withdraws from England squad due to 'personal matter' and misses Euro 2024 qualifier v North Macedonia

Kieran Trippier has pulled out of the England squad due to a 'personal matter' and will not feature in Monday's Euro 2024 qualifier against North Macedonia.

The Newcastle defender played the full 90 minutes in England's 2-0 dead-rubber win over Malta at Wembley on Friday, but has now returned to his club and will prepare for the Magpies' clash with Chelsea on November 25.

West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen is also set to miss the encounter against North Macedonia due to a minor injury.

"We didn't really have enough time to assess it fully and make an accurate decision, so we felt better to leave him in England," manager Gareth Southgate said. "We wouldn't take a risk."

The win over Malta was sealed thanks to Enrico Pepe’s own-goal and Harry Kane’s second-half strike, in a lacklustre evening on Friday in north London.

Declan Rice looked to have the scoreline more emphatic with a brilliant finish, but the effort was ruled out by the VAR, with Kane viewed to be offside in the goalkeeper's line of vision.

The result leaves Southgate's side with 19 points from their seven qualifiers, having already booked their place at next year's finals.

Monday's match also holds little significance for North Macedonia, who can no longer qualify for the finals themselves and are guaranteed to finish fourth in the group.

The other match in Group C will have much more at stake, as Ukraine and Italy battle it out for the second qualification berth.

Both teams are tied on 13 points from seven games, but it is Italy that have the advantage after winning the reverse fixture 2-1 in Milan.

The Azzurri will not be out of qualifying contention even with a defeat, and have the back-up route to the finals via the play-offs courtesy of their performance in the Nations League.

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