England lose eight big names in Carsley´s final squad

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer and Declan Rice headlined England’s latest withdrawals from Lee Carsley’s final squad for their upcoming Nations League fixtures.

The Three Lions take on Greece this Thursday before returning to Wembley three days later to face the Republic of Ireland, but will be without eight key players for those games.

Alexander-Arnold was replaced by Conor Bradley in the 25th minute of Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday, though Arne Slot is hopeful the injury is not a serious one.

And his absence will be felt by the Three Lions. Only Mohamed Salah (21) has created more chances for the Reds in the Premier League this term than Alexander-Arnold (20).

Palmer, who missed training following a challenge from Lisandro Martinez during Chelsea’s draw with Manchester United before playing against Arsenal, is another to drop out.

This season, Palmer’s 12 goal involvements (seven goals, five assists) in the Premier League is only bettered by Liverpool’s Salah (14).

Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Rice also miss out, with the latter dealing with a foot injury that forced him to miss the Gunners’ Champions League defeat to Inter last week.

Rice was substituted in the 71st minute of their 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday, with Saka limping off 10 minutes from time at Stamford Bridge.

A #ThreeLions squad update from St. George’s Park

— England (@England) November 11, 2024

Phil Foden and Jack Grealish are also ruled out, with Pep Guardiola expressing his frustration about the latter’s inclusion by Carsley after ruling him out of their trip to Brighton.

Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale and Chelsea’s Levi Colwill have also withdrawn from the initial 26-man squad.

It has, however, opened the door for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers to receive his first senior call after impressing under Unai Emery this season.

Rogers has three goals and three assists in 15 appearances in all competitions for the Villans this term, a total only bettered by Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins (both eight).

Jarrod Bowen and Jarrad Branthwaite along with the uncapped Tino Livramento and James Trafford have also been added to Carsley’s ranks.