Man City, Chelsea and Aston Villa stars pull out of England squad before Nations League matches

David George
By David George

Health Specialist

4th Sep 2024, 10:15am
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Three of England’s biggest stars have been ruled out of upcoming international matches.

None of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins will feature for England during the Nations League matches, which will be played over the next two weeks. The Three Lions play the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, September 7 before Finland travel to Wembley on Tuesday, September 10.

Phil Foden has been out of action with a virus, while Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins have only just withdrawn from the squad.

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The Nations League games will be England’s first since Gareth Southgate resigned as manager.The Nations League games will be England’s first since Gareth Southgate resigned as manager.
The Nations League games will be England’s first since Gareth Southgate resigned as manager. | AFP via Getty Images

These matches will be the first England play under interim manager Lee Carsley, after Gareth Southgate’s eight-year tenure came to an end after the 2024 Euros.

Speaking at a press conference last week, Man City boss Pep Guardiola said: “Hopefully after the international break he will be ready. He played 45 minutes against Chelsea and after he didn't feel good.

“We made tests, he feels better but he doesn't feel perfect so we prefer to give him time to come back after the international break and be ready for the next games.

“He doesn’t feel good. It’s his stomach, a little, little virus. Some people said antibiotics and so on will be fine.”

Meanwhile, Watkins and Palmer are last-minute withdrawals due to injuries - the severity of which are not currently known.

Related topics:England

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