The Sunderland midfielder was forced off in the early stages of the win over Chelsea on Sunday

Granit Xhaka has been withdrawn from the Switzerland squad for the upcoming international break.

Xhaka had been due to link up with his international team mates on Monday but suffered a calf injury in the warm up of Sunderland’s 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday afternoon. The midfielder started the game but quickly signalled to the dugout that he could not continue, and was replaced by Jules Ahoka.

Xhaka had a scan on Monday morning and though the severity of the injury has not yet been revealed, the Switzerland national team have confirmed that he is no longer in the squad for the upcoming fixtures.

A statement posted on social media said: “Granit Xhaka has to withdraw from the national team gathering due to a calf injury.”

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Speaking after the game on Sunday, Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris confirmed Xhaka had suffered the injury at the end of the team’s warm up.

He said: “It looks like a calf injury, but we don't know exactly the timeframe at the minute. It was just the last sprint of the warm-up, that's often the case [with these injuries].”

Sunderland return to Premier League action away at Aston Villa on November 21st, and it is not yet clear whether Xhaka will be fit for that game to take his place in the matchday squad.

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