2Martin Odegaard has been sent home from international dutyCredit: Reuters

2He will continue his rehabilitation with Arsenal in LondonCredit: Getty

He then joined up with the Norwegian national team ahead of upcoming Nations League fixtures against Slovenia and Kazakhstan.

But after being assessed by Norway’s medical staff, he returned to London.

Odegaard said: “After discussions with the medical staff at the national team, we have unfortunately concluded that the situation is not good enough to play these matches.

“I’ve been through a long training period and when you haven’t practised football in the last nine weeks, it’s natural not to be 100 per cent yet.

“I need to listen to my body, complete this rehab process and get my foot back in good shape.

“The hope has always been to be able to play the national matches, and if I hadn’t played on Sunday, it would have been out of the question to participate anyway.

“It’s a very bad feeling to lose these games, I love playing for Norway and with this team.”

Norway manager Stale Solbakken went on to say that he was not willing to risk the midfielder’s health.

He explained: “We knew that there was a risk that Martin would not be ready.

“He has had a strong desire to take part in the matches, but we cannot risk his health.”

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Odegaard will now continue his rehabilitation with Arsenal in London.

Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice withdrew from the England squad on Monday due to injury.