Tom Heaton Replaces Injured Joe Hart In England Squad

 

Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton will replace Joe Hart in England's squad for friendlies with Germany and the Netherlands. Heaton is the only addition to Roy Hodgson's squad, even though Hart's Manchester City team-mate Raheem Sterling will also miss both games with a groin injury.

Sterling was injured in the first-half of City's 1-0 Manchester derby defeat by United on Saturday, and Hart was carried off after sustaining a calf injury in the second period. They were the only two players selected by Hodgson last week to be hurt over the weekend, and the England manager confirmed he would make no outfield addition to replace Sterling as he originally named a slightly bigger squad.

Heaton has been named in previous England squads, when Fraser Forster was absent with a serious knee injury, but he is yet to make his senior debut after playing at all age grades from U16. Hodgson “Obviously it's very disappointing for Joe and Raheem to suffer injuries which will rule them out of our games against Germany and Holland.  They are important players in our squad and I wish them a speedy recovery. Tom has been with us on several occasions and I am welcome him back into the fold”.

Hodgson also confirmed assistant coach Gary Neville will link up with the squad late on Thursday, the day before they fly out to Berlin for Saturday's clash with Germany.