Carney Chukwuemeka to miss England U20 World Cup group stage to help injury-stricken Chelsea

Chelsea midfielder Carnery Chukwuemeka will not join up with the England under-20 World Cup team until the group stage is over, according to the Evening Standard.

The 19-year-old will stay behind at his club as they have two injured players in midfield – N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic.

Kante missed the club’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest over the weekend, while Kante was absent with a groin injury.

Mason Mount is also doubtful despite returning to training a few days ago.

Chelsea have now decided to keep Chukwuemeka around for their remaining games against Manchester United, Manchester City and Newcastle United.

With Conor Gallagher, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Enzo Fernandez competing for a place in the starting XI, Chukwuemeka will likely be a bench option for those games.

His withdrawal from international action has delivered a massive blow to the England squad for their U20 World Cup campaign.

Head coach Ian Foster has been frustrated by clubs refusing to let the players join up with the squad and he cannot make any changes.

Foster was already without Lewis Hall, who Chelsea kept with Marc Cucurella and Ben Chilwell injured.

Manchester City decided to keep full-back Rico Lewis with Pep Guardiola needing all hands on deck as they challenge on three fronts.

Juventus refused to allow Samuel Iling-Junior to leave. Borussia Dortmund forward Jamie Bynoe-Gittens is out of the squad with a shoulder injury.

Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Aaron Ramsey are in the Championship play-offs, while Peterborough United defender Ronnie Edwards is in the League One play-offs.