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21 DEFENDER Phil Jones has been released from the England squad for the matches against Germany and Lithuania after picking up an injury in training, the Football As- sociation has announced. A Football Association state- ment read: "Phil Jones has been released from the England squad after picking up an injury in train- ing ahead of this evening's trip to Germany. "The Manchester United de- fender has returned to his club and will not be part of the group that flies to Dortmund this even- ing. "There are no immediate plans to call up a replacement but, with Gary Cahill suspended for Sun- day's game against Lithuania, Gareth Southgate will assess his options following tomorrow's match." Boss Gareth Southgate had no other injury worries ahead of the Three Lions flying to Dortmund on Tuesday afternoon. Raheem Sterling missed the ses- sion as he is on his own personal recovery plan following Manches- ter City's 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Sunday, however there were no concerns surrounding him. The winger was the only player absent, with City team-mate John Stones and Liverpool's Adam Lal- lana and Nathaniel Clyne taking part at Burton, and the uncapped James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond also involved. Jamie Vardy trained with his team-mates the day after revealing he received death threats follow- ing Claudio Ranieri's sacking by Leicester last month. The threats followed reports he may have had a part to play in the Italian's exit, which Vardy firmly denies. The returning Jermain Defoe, who has not played for England since 2013, and West Brom's Jake Livermore, looking for his first cap since 2012, also featured. Southgate's men took part in a light warm-up before a session of keep-ball at St George's Park as they look to beat Germany for the second time in a year in Wednes- day's friendly. They won 3-2 in Berlin last March thanks to Eric Dier's last- minute winner. England then face Lithuania in a World Cup qualifier on Sunday at Wembley. Sport FOOTBALL maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 22 MARCH 2017 Leicester's Vardy got death threats over Ranieri sacking LEICESTER City's Jamie Vardy has said he was subjected to death threats and his wife tar- geted by aggressive motorists after allegations that he con- tributed to the sacking of man- ager Claudio Ranieri. The 30-year-old striker, on England duty for this week 's friendly with Germany and World Cup qualifier against Lithuania, said he had suffered abuse walking along the street and also said his wife had been repeatedly "cut up" while driv- ing. Ranieri left the Midlands club in February, just nine months after winning the Pre- mier League title, with Leices- ter 17th in the standings and battling relegation. Vardy has since faced accusations of in- f luencing the decision to sack the Italian. The allegation he attended a meeting called by Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanap- rabha at East Midlands airport hours after the 2-1 defeat at Sevilla in a Champions league last 16 first-leg tie on Feb. 23 had prompted the abuse, Vardy said. Several Leicester players, backed up by Ranieri's succes- sor and former assistant Craig Shakespeare, have denied me- dia reports that there was a player revolt against Ranieri. "It is terrif ying," Vardy told the BBC on Monday. "I read one story that said I was personally involved in a meeting after the Sevilla game when I was actually sat in anti- doping for three hours. "But then the story is out there, people pick it up and jump on it and you're getting death threats about your fam- ily, kids, everything." Vardy has not accused Leices- ter fans of the abuse and has not considered reporting it to the police. Asked where the abuse came from, Vardy said: "On social media, you name it – walking down the street. "To be honest I get them (taunts) every week. Football fans don't seem to like me. I just get on with it but when people are trying to cut your missus up while she's driving along, with the kids in the back of the car it's not the best. It's happened plenty of times." Vardy said there was no prob- lem between Ranieri and the Leicester players during the Italian's time in charge. "No, not at all. Basically if there was an issue you went and did it in the gaffer's office, man-to-man. Or you went and did it on the tactics board, be- cause he was happy for you to come in and put your opinion across," he added. "The stories were quite hurt- ful to be honest with you. A lot of false accusations were being thrown out there and there was nothing we, as players, could do about it." Leicester City's Jamie Vardy and former Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri during the press conference Phil Jones out of Germany and Lithuania games Phil Jones