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Andros Townsend replaces injured Raheem Sterling in England squad

Raheem Sterling has had to withdraw from the England squad through injury, with interim manager Gareth Southgate calling Andros Townsend up to replace him.

Manchester City winger Sterling is carrying an unspecified injury and will miss the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia as a result.

Crystal Palace's Townsend takes Sterling's space in the squad and will return to the group for the first time since the pre-Euro 2016 friendlies against Turkey and Australia.

Sterling's withdrawal will come as a blow to Southgate, with the City man having scored five goals and registered six assists in 10 appearances this season.

Townsend, who has 11 caps and three international goals to his name, has been an ever-present for Palace in the Premier League this term since joining from Newcastle in the summer.

The former Tottenham player will join the rest of the England squad when they meet at St George's Park on Tuesday.

England host Malta on Oct. 8 at Wembley before making the trip to Slovenia on Oct. 11.