Goalkeeper Scott Carson has been released from the England squad to play against Bulgaria following a family bereavement.

Watford goalkeeper Scott Loach has been called up from the Under-21s as his replacement.

Carson was hoping to make his first England appearance since the victory over Germany in Berlin in November 2008, although the role has always been earmarked for Manchester City's Joe Hart.

However, the news does highlight the lack of goalkeeping depth available to Fabio Capello.

Loach ended up being the understudy to Hart for last month's friendly win over Hungary when current number two Ben Foster withdrew through injury and Paul Robinson announced his retirement from international football.

Capello is hoping Carson will return to the fold on Sunday ahead of the second part of England's opening Euro 2012 double-header against Switzerland in Basle on Tuesday.

Loach had been due to face Portugal for Stuart Pearce's Under-21 side in a vital European Championship qualifier.

But now Pearce will have to look at alternative options.

The good news for Capello was that the remaining members of his squad were all able to train at Wembley on Thursday morning.

The improved surface allowed the squad to abandon their normal routine of a pre-match training session at Arsenal's London Colney complex in favour of a run-out at the national stadium.