LONDON -- England winger Raheem Sterling has withdrawn from the squad to play Spain and Switzerland because of a back problem, the FA announced on Monday.
Sterling was the player missing when Gareth Southgate's squad reported at St George's Park and the Manchester City forward will not be replaced, leaving a squad of 22.
Sterling, who scored in City's 2-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday, was the focus of attention before Russia 2018 even started after a controversial gun tattoo, while criticism continued at the tournament when he failed to score despite having come off a campaign of 23 goals for City.
On Sunday, Three Lions teammate John Stones backed Sterling to brush off criticism and continue to perform for England. However, Sterling will have to wait to get his chance again.
England face Spain in a Nations League match at Wembley Stadium on Saturday and Switzerland in a friendly at Leicester's King Power Stadium on Tuesday.
England squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jack Butland (Stoke City), Alex McCarthy (Southampton)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Harry Maguire (Leicester City), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), James Tarkowski (Burnley), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal)