Gareth Southgate confirmed Foden will be unavailable for Saturday’s meeting at the Puskas Arena, as well as Tuesday’s trip to Germany, but the Three Lions boss is hopeful the midfielder will be able to return to the squad in time to face Italy in seven days’ time.
Sterling, who is one appearance away from winning his 75th cap, has missed several days of training since joining up with the squad at St George’s Park and Southgate says he will make a late decision as to whether to include the winger in the opening game of England’s Group A3 campaign.
“Phil Foden has unfortunately tested positive for COVID, so he has had to leave,” he said at his pre-match press conference.
“Hopefully he will be able to meet up when we get back from Germany.
“Raheem Sterling has missed a couple of days training with illness. We’ll assess whether we involve him tomorrow, but everybody else is fully fit.”
That means City’s remaining England representatives, Jack Grealish, John Stones and Kyle Walker, are all available to face Hungary in Saturday’s 17:00 (UK) kick-off.
