Phil Foden has headed home from Euro 2024 to deal with "an urgent family issue" but England are said to be relaxed about the temporary loss of one of their key players.

Understandably, the Football Association have given no details or timescales around Foden's private matter, saying simply: “Phil Foden has temporarily left the England camp and returned to the UK for a pressing family matter” but it was recently revealed his partner is expecting their third child.

The Manchester City forward started all three of England's group games and although his tendency to come off the left wing, where he has been stationed, made for a problem in a side with no left-footed left-back fit, his performance in Tuesday's 0-0 draw against Slovenia was his best of the competition so far.

England play next on Sunday in Gelsenkirchen against one of the four best third-placed sides. With the tournament into knockout football, every game could be their last in the competition.

Raheem Sterling and Ben White both flew home from the Qatar World Cup for personal reasons, and although Sterling returned for the quarter-final against France, he made little impact as a late substitute after missing games against Wales and Senegal to deal with a burglary.

Neither Sterling nor White have played for England since, but the mood music seems to be that this case is quite different.

England have two natural left-wingers to deputise if Foden misses the last-16 tie, in Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon and Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze.

England Euro 2024 ever-present flies home to deal with 'family issue'

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