Declan Rice and Cole Palmer named in England squad despite injury concerns

Declan Rice and Cole Palmer have both been included in the England squad for this month’s Nations League games against Greece and Ireland, despite injury concerns.

Rice missed Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat at Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday due to a foot problem.

Palmer has not trained this week after he was left with stud marks on his left knee following a wild late lunge from Lisandro Martinez at Manchester United last weekend.

Rice and Palmer are doubts for the Premier League showdown between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

But both players have been called up by Lee Carsley in his final England squad as interim head coach before Thomas Tuchel starts in the job in January.

England play Greece in Athens next Thursday and then host Ireland at Wembley three days later.

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has been recalled, while Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall have been handed their first England call-ups

There is no place in the squad for Chelsea defender Reece James, despite his return to fitness.

Manchester United duo Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire miss out through injury, as does Manchester City centre-back John Stones.

There is still no place in the squad for Tottenham midfielder James Maddison, but Dominic Solanke is included.

Liverpool midfield Curtis Jones has been called up and is in line to make his England debut.