COLE PALMER, Ollie Watkins and Phil Foden have withdrawn from England’s upcoming Uefa Nations League squad.
The Three Lions go up against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday in Dublin, before hosting Finland next Tuesday in Lee Carsley’s first fixtures as interim boss.
The new-look England camp reported to St. George’s Park on Tuesday but, following assessment, both Palmer and Watkins returned to their clubs to continue rehabilitation for ongoing issues.
Foden did not report to England training after Pep Guardiola explained he had a “stomach virus” and is also ruled out of the international break.
No further additions are planned at this moment in time, after Carsley named his 26-man team for the first time last Thursday.
The Nations League marks the first set of England fixtures to be managed by interim boss Carsley, who previously oversaw the U21s.
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It comes as huge blow to Carsley after Foden, Watkins and Palmer were nominated for the PFA Men’s Player of the Year award this summer, with the Manchester City ace landing it.
Foden, 24, did not travel to East London for Man City’s 3-1 victory over West Ham on Saturday though an illness left him needing antibiotics.
The Prem champ has featured for only 45 minutes this season in Man City’s opening 2-0 win at Chelsea.
But Palmer played the full 90 of Chelsea‘s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, while Watkins was subbed off early for Jhon Duran during Aston Villa’s 2-1 win at Leicester.
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Chelsea talisman Palmer and Villa striker Watkins were assessed at St George’s Park and returned to the respective clubs.
Looking back at the Villa’s trip to Leicester, Chris Waddle, 63, said: “I don’t think Ollie Watkins is up to the pace he was at last season.
“He looks as if he is struggling, I don’t know if it’s fitness. He looks as if he is struggling, I don’t know if it’s fitness.”
England travel to Dublin’s Aviva Stadium to face Ireland on Saturday 7 September in a 5pm kick-off.
Before hosting Finland at Wembley on Tuesday 10 September at 7.45pm.
The extent of their problems will now need to be assessed with the Premier League not set to resume until Saturday 14 September.
Carsley selected many young players he is familiar with in his first duties as England boss.
The likes of Noni Madueke, Tino Livramento, Angel Gomes and Morgan Gibbs-White were included for the first time.
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Arriving at the side’s base in Burton-on-Trent, stars such as Bukayo Saka and Jack Grealish, who was recalled after missing out on Euro 2024, had smiles on their faces as they prepared for the early-season international break.
Newer faces including Newcastle’s Livramento and Forest’s Gibbs-White also looked excited to be called to their first senior session.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
