Raheem Sterling kept his attention on playing football as he trained with England ahead of the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Manchester City star Sterling, who was controversially sent off last weekend, has been offered to Arsenal as part of the deal to take Alexis Sanchez to the Etihad.

But Sterling did not appear to be fazed by the speculation as he stepped back onto the training pitch with England.

The Three Lions are preparing for the trip to Malta later this week.

Sterling got an arm round his shoulder from manager Southgate (
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Getty Images Europe)
Jack Butland could take Joe Hart's place as England No.1 (
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AFP)
Harry Kane will hope to be back to his best for England (
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AFP/Getty)
Harry Maguire could make his first appearance for England (
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AFP)
Jesse Lingard, Kyle Walker and Dele Alli all battle for the ball (
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AFP)
Marcus Rashford appeared in high spirits during the session (
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Getty Images Europe)

Until their flight on Thursday ahead of the game the following day, England will be based at the St George's Park training base, where they will be put through their paces by manager Gareth Southgate.

There were a few absentees for England, however.

Nathaniel Chalobah, Kieran Trippier, Jake Livermore and Phil Jones missed the session with minor injuries.

The quartet sat out as a precaution due to minor injuries, but are all expected to be fit for Friday's match.

Sterling delivers a cross beyond Gary Cahill (
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Getty Images Europe)
Jermain Defoe is back with the England set-up once again (
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Getty Images Europe)
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also waiting to find out where his future lies (
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Action Images via Reuters)
Dele Alli will be hoping to impress for England once again (
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AFP)
Cahill shares a joke with Jamie Vardy during training (
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Action Images via Reuters)

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also trained despite, like Sterling, having speculation linking him with a move before the transfer deadline on Thursday evening.

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was absent having pulled out of the squad earlier in the day through injury.

As a result, Newcastle's Freddie Woodman - part of the victorious Under-20 World Cup side - took part in training.

After returning from Malta, England host Slovakia on Monday night at Wembley.

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