Townsend replaces injured Sterling in England squad

Townsend, who has scored three goals in his 11 appearances for England, returns to international duty for the first time since May, having last featured in the pre-Euro 2016 friendly against Australia.

(Reuters)

"Crystal Palace's Andros Townsend has been called up to the England squad following the withdrawal of Raheem Sterling through injury." the FA said on its website (www.thefa.com).

England host Malta at Wembley Stadium on Saturday before travelling to take on Slovenia three days later.

England enjoyed a last-gasp 1-0 victory away to Slovakia in their opening Group F game last month. The group also includes Scotland and Lithuania.

(Reporting by Shravanth Vijayakumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris)