Phil Foden has left the England camp to return home because of a “pressing family matter”.
The Manchester City forward, 24, has started all three of England’s games at the European Championship including Tuesday’s goalless draw with Slovenia but is now flying back home, the Football Association has confirmed.
“Phil Foden has temporarily left the England camp and returned to the UK for a pressing family matter,” said an FA spokesperson.
Gareth Southgate’s squad were having an indoor warm-down session at the Blankenhain basecamp on Wednesday after topping Group C with their result in Cologne.
They have four days before their last-16 clash in Gelsenkirchen, with the opponents yet to be decided.
Foden is expected to be back for the weekend but may miss a period of the preparations for the weekend fixture.
It had been reported last season that he and his partner were expecting their third child.
Southgate selected Foden for the matches against Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia, with the Premier League player of the season starting on the left flank. With England struggling in attack, Foden has been one of Southgate’s brighter players and hit the post in the 1-1 draw with Denmark.
Foden has been hoping to erase the heartbreak of the last Euros when he was injured for the final against Italy.