LONDON: Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand has withdrawn from the England squad for friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy due to a back injury, the Football Association (FA) has said. The 28-year-old will miss Friday’s trip to face the Dutch in Amsterdam and the home game against Italy four days later. The FA said in a statement Bertrand was “returning to Southampton for further assessment on a back issue. “Bertrand’s withdrawal is a precautionary measure, but he won’t play in this month’s matches.” The left-back’s withdrawal leaves Danny Rose and Ashley Young competing for a starting spot as players look to show they are worth a place in England’s squad for the World Cup. Published in Daily Times, March 22nd 2018.