Three England stars including Cole Palmer withdraw from Three Lions squad in huge blow for Lee Carsley

COLE PALMER, Ollie Watkins and Phil Foden have withdrawn from England’s upcoming Uefa Nations League squad.

The Three Lions go up against Ireland on Saturday in Dublin, before hosting Finland next Tuesday in Lee Carsley’s first fixtures as interim boss.

Getty

Cole Palmer has been sent back to Chelsea after arriving to the England base with a knock[/caption]

PA

Phil Foden has withdrawn through illness[/caption]

Rex

Ollie Watkins has also withdrawn amid a slight injury concern[/caption]

The England squad reported to St. George’s Park on Tuesday but, following assessment, both Palmer and Watkins returned to their clubs to continue rehabilitation for ongoing issues.

Foden did not report to training through illness and is also ruled out of the matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

No further additions are planned at this moment in time, according to an announcement from England Football.

The Nations League marks the first set of England fixtures to be managed by interim boss Carsley, who previously oversaw the U21s.

It comes as huge blow to Carsley after Foden, Watkins and Palmer were nominated for the PFA Men’s Player of the Year award this summer, with the Manchester City ace landing it.

Foden did not travel to London for Man City’s trip to West Ham on Saturday though illness.

But Palmer played the full 90 of Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, while Watkins was subbed off early for Jhon Duran during Aston Villa’s 2-1 win at Leicester.

Chelsea talisman Palmer and Villa striker Watkins meanwhile were assessed at St George’s Park and returned to the respective clubs.

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Looking back at the Villa game, Chris Waddle said: “I don’t think Ollie Watkins is up to the pace he was at last season.

“He looks as if he is struggling, I don’t know if it’s fitness. He looks as if he is struggling, I don’t know if it’s fitness.”

England travel to Dublin to face Ireland on Saturday 7 September in a 5pm kick-off.

Before hosting Finland at Wembley on Tuesday 10 September at 7.45pm.

The Prem starts again on Saturday 14 September with Manchester United’s visit to Southampton.

Arriving at the side’s base in Burton-on-Trent, stars such as Bukayo Saka and Jack Grealish, who was recalled after missing out on Euro 2024, had smiles on their faces as they prepared for the early-season international break.

Newer faces including Newcastle’s Tino Livramento and Morgan Gibbs-White also looked excited to be called up for the first time.

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