England will be without the services of Jadon Sancho for the rest of the U17 World Cup, after he was called back by his club Borussia Dortmund.
The 17-year-old had started all three of the Young Lions’ games in India so far and scored three goals to help Steve Cooper’s side into the last 16.
But the former Watford and Manchester City player was withdrawn before England’s final training session ahead of their knock-out match against Japan in Kolkata, leaving the player and his head coach disappointed.
“Jadon’s gone home, Dortmund have requested that he heads back to Germany which is obviously a disappointment in terms of the tournament,” explained Cooper.
“People enjoyed seeing him play and it’s a disappointment for him because he very much enjoyed his time in India and relished the chance to play in a World Cup.
“He loves playing for England and this team in particular so it’s sad to see him go.
“I can only imagine Dortmund want him back to play in their first team at the weekend and I assume he will be starting for them, because I can’t think of a reason why you would take a player away from a World Cup.
“But we look forward, not back, and I’ve said on many occasions that it isn’t about one player and if any of the boys left through any reasons such as injuries or club commitments, we will always be about the team and the squad.
“I’m convinced that every player we have out here is capable of playing for England in a World Cup and also making a difference in a game.”
