Arsenal's Ben White leaves England camp due to personal reasons

 

Ben White has left the England camp due to personal reasons and won't take further part in the World Cup. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Arsenal’s utility defender Ben White has left England’s World Cup camp with immediate effect for personal reasons and will not return, an FA statement reads.

"The Arsenal defender is not expected to return to the squad for the remainder of the tournament. We ask that the player's privacy is respected at this moment in time." The statement concludes that there will be no replacement for him and England will carry on with 25 players.

Ben White didn’t play a minute for England throughout the group stage and he missed the game against Wales due to illness, England won 3-0 and topped the group. England will play Senegal in the round of 16 after the Africans beat Ecuador to advance.

England is well covered defensively and will not be alarmed at White’s absence. Kyle Walker has recovered from his injury and he started against Wales; Trent Alexander Arnold is available and Kieran Tierney has deputized brilliantly.

In center back, Harry Maguire and John Stones are the favorites but Connor Coady and Eric Dier are available if they’re needed to shore things up. England resume World Cup duties on Sunday against the Teranga Lions.