 Heskey will miss the match at St James' Park |
Emile Heskey has withdrawn from England's squad for the friendly against Ukraine on Wednesday. The Birmingham striker has been sidelined with a hamstring injury and joins Wayne Bridge in pulling out.
"Heskey woke up on Tuesday with a tight hamstring and has returned to his club for treatment," said a statement on the FA's official website.
Full-back Bridge, who played in Chelsea's win over Manchester United on Sunday, has a calf problem.
Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said: "Heskey had an injury a week ago, a knee injury. He slipped in practice on Monday and felt his hamstring a bit.
"So we said 'go back and try to be ready for Saturday. We have enough attacking options.' If it had been a qualifying game he'd have stayed."
Eriksson was already without Everton's Wayne Rooney, who is yet to begin training after the foot injury he sustained during Euro 2004.
Sol Campbell, Jonathan Woodgate and Joe Cole are also all out injured for the game, which is a warm-up for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Austria and Poland.
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is suspended and will not return in time for next month's double-header.
MMIX
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