Lewis Dunk has been forced to withdraw from the England squad.

He was due to meet up with the group at St George’s Park today.

But he has reluctantly taken the decision to pull out due to a niggling injury issue which troubled him late in the club season.

Dunk was on the bench for Albion's last two games, once European football had been secured.

By that stage he had been named in Gareth Southgate’s 25-man party for the qualifiers in Malta and against North Macedonia at Old Trafford.

Head coach Roberto De Zerbi hoped that respite would give Dunk more chance of  being ready for England as he looked to add to his one cap.

He said at the time Dunk was “working with the national team” as he remained an unused substitute against Manchester City and Aston Villa.

The Albion boss said: “He deserves to play for the national team.

“We are very happy for him and we will play (for the) national team with him. All Brighton will play in the national team.”