Everton will assess the fitness of Phil Jagielka after he pulled out of the England squad to face Malta and Slovenia with a thigh injury.

The FA announced that Jagielka has returned to the club for treatment but the Blues captain is expected to be fit for Everton's Premier League game against Manchester City next weekend. 

Southgate not planning to call an immediate replacement

England's interim manager, Gareth Southgate, has no immediate plans to call up a replacement before Saturday's World Cup qualifier with Malta at Wembley, leaving Gary Cahill, Michael Keane, Chris Smalling and John Stones as England's centre-back options.

Cahill also failed to train at St. George's Park on Friday morning with the Chelsea defender suffering from a sore throat, but the 30-year-old is expected to be fit to face Malta before England travel to Slovenia for Tuesday's Group F game.

England are joint top of Group F, behind Scotland on goal difference, following their 1-0 win over Slovakia last month. The match was Sam Allardyce's only game as England boss after he left the job after just 67 days following a newspaper investigation into corruption in football.

Jagielka has played in every league game for Everton this season. | Photo: Lynne Cameron/Getty Images
Jagielka has played in every league game for Everton this season. | Photo: Lynne Cameron/Getty Images

Injury 'not thought to be too serious'

Jagielka has played a key role in Everton's defence under Ronald Koeman having played in every league game for the Blues this season. The 34-year-old has returned to Finch Farm to undergo treatment in the hope he will be fit to face Manchester City next Saturday, but the injury is "not thought to be too serious."

Should the Everton captain not be passed fit for the visit to the league leaders then Ramiro Funes Mori could replace him in the heart of the Blues defence. The Argentina international has been edged out of the team following the arrival of Ashley Williams from Swansea City and he has voiced concerns over his lack of playing time this season.

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About the author
Adam Bailey
Everton editor, who also covers cycling and athletics.