Chelsea defender Levi Colwill is not one of three players to withdraw from the latest England squad despite missing the 4-4 draw with Manchester City on Sunday. Colwill had been taken off at half-time in the win against Tottenham seven days ago but that wasn't thought to be fitness related.

The 20-year-old was left out of the matchday squad for the meeting with Pep Guardiola's side at Stamford Bridge due to a minor shoulder issue, football.london understands. It comes just days before Colwill is due to play for his country again in the final Euro 2024 qualifiers.

Colwill made his debut for the Three Lions earlier this year, playing the full game in a friendly win over Australia in October. The Cobham academy graduate is now competing for a place in Gareth Southgate's squad ahead of next year's major tournament in Germany but has become a doubt after Mauricio Pochettino left him out of the team against City.

The Argentine remained coy on an update over Colwill, asking his assistant Jesus Perez how he was after the game before the club's press officer confirmed that more would be said in the next 24 hours. Since then England have officially had two extra players drop out of the squad following James Maddison's exit on Friday morning.

Maddison has now been ruled out for over six weeks with an ankle injury he picked up against Chelsea last Monday while Callum Wilson and Lewis Dunk have also since been removed from the group. Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer and City's Rico Lewis have been added to the squad for their first senior call-ups.

For Chelsea, this may well come as a big boost with Colwill not yet at the stage that he has to be taken out. The former Huddersfield and Brighton loanee had started every league game until Sunday, he was replaced by Marc Cucurella at left-back.

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Colwill was at Stamford Bridge for the game despite not taking part in the action. He was pictured alongside American singer Jack Harlow.

If Colwill does remain in the squad for matches against Malta and North Macedonia, it will mean that of the 25-man group under Southgate, five have spent time in the Chelsea academy as six have a connection to the club.

Meanwhile Reece James and Raheem Sterling are on the outside of the group. Southgate admitted that he wished to select James after the Blues captain started his first two games in over three months but was told that the 23-year-old would rather play it safe. James started again for Chelsea on Sunday, impressing with his performance on the right of defence but didn't last past the 80th minute as he is carefully managed.

Sterling was left out for the third time in a row despite his promising form at the start of this season. The 28-year-old put in perhaps his best ever performance for Chelsea since arriving last summer, scoring against his old club with an inspired display. He is up against it to get back into Southgate's thinking.