Raheem Sterling has been ruled out of England's 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier fixtures in October with an injury.
The Manchester City winger was substituted in the 87th minute of the Citizens' 2-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. The 21-year-old has picked up a calf injury, according to reports.
Sterling was named initially in Gareth Southgate's first England squad that was announced on Sunday. He had been in good form grabbing four goals and two assists for the table-toppers in the ongoing Premier League season.
However, Sterling had to be withdrawn and has been replaced by Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend, who will be joining the squad that is expected to assemble at the St. George's Park on Tuesday.
"Crystal Palace's Andros Townsend has been called up to the England squad following the withdrawal of Raheem Sterling through," a statement on Football Association's official website read.
Townsend, who last played for the Three Lions in the friendlies against Turkey and Australia ahead of the 2016 European Championship in May, has been a key player for Crystal Palace since he made the move from Newcastle United during the summer window. He scored for the Eagles in their 4-1 win against Stoke City last month and has featured in all their league games this season.
Notably, Southgate, who was appointed as the senior team's caretaker after Sam Allardyce's exit, will also miss the services of quite a few regulars including Harry Kane, Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Danny Drinkwater and Nathaniel Clyne, who were unavailable due to injuries.
England, who defeated Slovakia 1-0 in their World Cup qualifying Group F opener last month, will face Malta and Slovenia during the international break on 8 and 11 October, respectively.
