Peter Crouch has withdrawn from the England squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland due to a back injury.
Striker returns to Spurs for treatment on back injury
Peter Crouch has withdrawn from the England squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland due to a back injury.
The Tottenham Hotspur striker had been rated doubtful for the double-header after suffering what was initially believed to be a rib injury in his club's shock 1-0 defeat by Wigan Athletic at the weekend.
Crouch, who had scored a hat-trick in Spurs' previous game against Young Boys, was replaced at half-time against Wigan before linking up with the England squad.
However, after having his fitness assessed, the 29-year-old has now returned to his club for further treatment on the back complaint.
England coach Fabio Capello had taken the precaution of naming an additional striker in his 24-man squad, so there is no requirement for a replacement to be drafted in.
As Bobby Zamora was ruled out prior to the squad being announced, it leaves Capello to choose from Wayne Rooney, Carlton Cole, Darren Bent and Jermain Defoe for Friday's game against Bulgaria at Wembley.
The Football Association opted not to make any further injury announcements, although the fact Crouch is the only player being released and no call-ups have been requested must be viewed as good news given England only had one goalkeeper at training on Tuesday.
There is cover for Phil Jagielka, who also sat out training with an ankle problem which David Moyes revealed made him an extreme doubt following Everton's defeat at Aston Villa on Sunday.
England are already missing captain Rio Ferdinand, central defensive partner John Terry and Frank Lampard for the opening two Euro 2012 qualifiers.
