England’s squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures has been hit by a wave of injury withdrawals, with key players including Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, and Declan Rice among those sidelined.
Saka, who sustained a leg injury during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Chelsea on Sunday, is one of the high-profile absentees. The 22-year-old was substituted in the 81st minute, with manager Mikel Arteta expressing concern post-match, stating the injury “doesn’t look good.”
Palmer, who has impressed for Chelsea this season, also pulled out of the squad after struggling with fitness ahead of the international break. Despite playing the full 90 minutes in Sunday’s match against Arsenal, the 22-year-old’s performance was below his usual standard.
In addition to Saka and Palmer, six more players will miss England’s upcoming matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland. Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold is out with a low-grade hamstring injury sustained in the first half of their 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday. The injury is expected to keep him sidelined for around two weeks.
Manchester City’s Jack Grealish also withdraws after being absent from City’s last match on October 20. His fitness has been a concern for some time, and his exclusion from the squad was expected.
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Levi Colwill, Phil Foden, Aaron Ramsdale, and Declan Rice complete the list of withdrawals. Rice’s situation is particularly noteworthy, as sources revealed he was carrying a broken toe during Arsenal’s clash with Chelsea, where he continued to play before being replaced in the 71st minute.
As a result of the injury crisis, England interim manager Lee Carsley has called up several replacements, including Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, who earns his first-ever call-up. Uncapped duo Tino Livramento and James Trafford have also been added to the squad, alongside Jarrod Bowen and Jarrad Branthwaite.
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The upcoming fixtures against Greece and the Republic of Ireland will be Carsley’s final matches in charge before the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as the new permanent manager of England.
