Konsa and O'Reilly miss England training ahead of Nations League trip to Prague

Ezri Konsa and Nico O’Reilly were absent from England’s main group training session on Monday as Thomas Tuchel’s squad prepared to fly to Prague for Tuesday’s UEFA Nations League fixture against Czechia.

The Football Association confirmed that both players followed individual programmes at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground while the remaining 22 members of the squad trained together. “Ezri Konsa and Nico O’Reilly are following their own individual programmes at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground this morning,” the FA statement read. “All other 22 players are involved in group training ahead of the squad departing for Prague this afternoon.”

Both players started England’s 3-2 Nations League defeat to Spain at the weekend, with Manchester City midfielder O’Reilly completing the full 90 minutes. Their fitness status adds to a growing list of concerns for Tuchel, who has already seen several players withdraw from the squad during this international window.

The Germany coach acknowledged after the Spain defeat that his side must improve quickly, with little time to prepare for a different kind of test in Prague. “The reality is we lost and the reality is we need to prove it again against Czechia in Prague,” Tuchel said. “Totally different match with different circumstances. We only have a two-day turnaround and to travel, so it will be demanding and challenging.”

Tuchel was keen to draw positives from the Spain performance despite the result, pointing to his side’s first-half display as evidence of progress. “We think we had them. We still think we had them at half time and that was the way the team showed up after half time, so we will focus on that,” he said, while also conceding that England could have defended better for the third goal.

England’s Nations League campaign now hinges on a response in Prague, with Tuchel hoping the fitness of Konsa and O’Reilly will become clearer before kick-off on Tuesday evening.