Sturridge ruled out of England qualifier

LONDON (AP) -- Daniel Sturridge has been ruled out of England's opening European Championship qualifier against Switzerland because of a thigh injury, further depleting coach Roy Hodgson's options for his team's toughest test in Group E.

The Liverpool striker pulled up hurt during a training session on Friday and was withdrawn from the squad for Monday's match in Basel after having a scan.

''He will play no part in the forthcoming Switzerland match,'' the English Football Association said in a statement.

Hodgson hasn't immediately called up a replacement, leaving him with three strikers - captain Wayne Rooney, Rickie Lambert and Danny Welbeck.

England's squad had already been weakened by the recent international retirement of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, while Theo Walcott, Adam Lallana and Glen Johnson are among the players out injured.