Five England players withdraw from Tuchel's squad for Nations League Spain clash

Thomas Tuchel has been dealt a significant blow ahead of England’s October Nations League campaign, with five players — Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford and Tino Livramento — all withdrawing from his squad. James Garner and Morgan Gibbs-White have been called up as replacements.

England face Spain, Czechia and Croatia during the international break, making the absences particularly costly. Rice was involved in Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat by Brighton at the weekend, while Palmer had featured in every Chelsea match this season before pulling out.

Mainoo and Rashford both started Manchester United’s 1-1 Premier League draw against Fulham on Sunday, with both substituted in the second half at Craven Cottage. United caretaker manager Michael Carrick indicated Rashford had picked up a problem during the match. “We had to bring him off as he had a bit of an issue,” Carrick said. When asked whether Rashford was alright, he added: “I’m not sure.”

Livramento’s withdrawal is a further setback after the Newcastle right-back had only recently returned from a lengthy injury lay-off that caused him to miss the summer’s World Cup.

Garner, the Everton midfielder, has earned two senior England caps to date, while Nottingham Forest’s Gibbs-White has made six appearances for the Three Lions. Both will now have the opportunity to press their claims for a more regular international role during the break.