Ryan Bertrand has apologised for a tweet that defended his withdrawal from the England squad to face San Marino on Friday evening.

The Chelsea full-back has been forced to withdraw through illness but it was earlier implied that Bertrand had withdrawn because of 'just' a sore throat.

Bertrand tweeted: "Just to clarify..it's not a 'sore throat' I'm ill, swollen glands in my neck...and constant headache for 3 days now and freezin cold.

"Do you think a 'sorethroat' could stop me being a part of a match for my club or country? #Yourf****n nuts this is what every boy dreams of."

However, Bertrand quickly apologised for the rant by tweeting: "Sorry if I offended anyone by swearing as I don't encourage that type of language...

"Was just disappointed at the thought of people thinking I only have a sore throat..which is not the case..."

Bertrand was only called into the squad as a replacement for the injured Kieran Gibbs.