England face fresh injury concerns after mass withdrawals for Nations League matches

England interim manager Lee Carsley is now sweating on Jarrad Branthwaite’s fitness after his squad was decimated by withdrawals for the Uefa Nations League clash in Greece on Thursday.

Carsley was hit by eight pull-outs on Monday, with Manchester City pair Phil Foden and Jack Grealish, Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, Chelsea team-mates Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Aaron Ramsdale, of Southampton, heading back to their clubs.

Everton centre-back Branthwaite was called into the squad for fixtures in Greece and against Ireland at Wembley on Sunday, although the 22-year-old worked away from the rest of the squad at St George’s Park on Tuesday, the day before flying out to Athens.

Carsley will also have a training session on Wednesday before travelling, with his plans for his final two games before Thomas Tuchel takes charge permanently hit by the withdrawals. He brought in Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah from the Under-21s to play in Tuesday’s training session.

Morgan Rogers, Tino Livramento, James Trafford and Jarrod Bowen were called up as injury cover and they were among the 23 players training with Carsley as they prepare for the final matches before Tuchel starts the build-up towards the World Cup in 2026.

Captain Harry Kane is still in the squad, while Kyle Walker is the other most experienced player and can add to his 91 caps.

Alexander-Arnold was forced off injured after 25 minutes of Liverpool’s win against Aston Villa at the weekend, while Saka limped off the pitch late in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday. Rice also suffered an injury in the same match and was taken off in the 71st minute.

Guardiola piqued by Grealish selection

Grealish’s withdrawal may cause some embarrassment for the Football Association and Carsley, whose claim that they were fully in contact with City and their expectation that the player would be fit was instantly rejected by Pep Guardiola.

On Grealish’s inclusion in Carsley’s initial squad, Guardiola had said: “Jack trained today [Friday] and believes he can help us – I’m not the guy to say you cannot go [on international duty]. But for my team, he’s not fit. He cannot play. All I can say is that for a couple of days over two weeks he didn’t train but the people from England believe he can help them. So go.

“They can select who they want. All I’d say is the day after Wolves, he was injured, 17 days out and today [Friday] was the first training with the team.”

Guardiola sarcastically added: “The manager from the UK knows better than me.”

The number of withdrawals is among the highest ever recorded and beats the six players who initially pulled out of England’s squad last November. Bowen’s withdrawal between the Malta and North Macedonia games took that tally to seven in 2023 and it remains to be seen whether more players are forced to drop out during this international break.

Players falling victim to excessive workload

Walker has not been 100 per cent fit for City, while Anthony Gordon was forced off during Newcastle United’s victory over Nottingham Forest, but remain with the squad – at least for now.

The staggering number of players to pull out will cause more debate over the amount of games they are being asked to play in and also the FA’s decision to allow incoming permanent manager Tuchel to start work on January 1.

Carsley has been allowed to remain in interim charge of the senior England team for this camp, after which he will return to his post as head coach of the Under-21s.

With John Stones, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo already out, Carsley has huge problems heading into the crucial Nations League game against Greece in Athens on Thursday night.

Having been defeated by Greece at Wembley, when Carsley fielded an experimental team and formation, England have to win in Athens to stand any chance of topping their group and avoiding a play-off for finishing second.

Palmer reported to St George’s Park on Monday, but has withdrawn after limping his way out of Stamford Bridge with a knee problem following a 90-minute performance against Arsenal.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had revealed that Rice, who played through the pain barrier with a broken toe, and Saka, who suffered a late injury, asked to come off in the draw with Chelsea.

Ramsdale, meanwhile, suffered a suspected fractured finger for Southampton in their defeat by Wolves at the weekend.