England have confirmed that Kobbie Mainoo, Ezri Konsa and Morgan Gibbs-White have all pulled out of Lee Carsley’s squad to face Greece and Finland due to injuries.
Captain Harry Kane has been declared fit after an injury scare while in action for Bayern Munich, but issues for three key players over the weekend has led to a triple withdrawal with no replacement call-ups made.
Mainoo recently missed out on Manchester United’s Europa League draw to Porto due to a fitness concern, having been brought off at half-time of their 3-0 defeat by Tottenham, but returned to play 85 minutes of the Red Devils’ 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.
Konsa meanwhile, lasted just 12 minutes of the statement before he had to be substituted off for Diego Carlos. He landed awkwardly after making a clearance and was consoled by Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez before hobbling off the pitch.
Nottingham Forest are similarly sweating over the fitness of their creator-in-chief Gibbs-White, who was forced off after 77 minutes of his side’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea.
Gibbs-White was injured while in the process of taking a shot and was replaced by Nicolas Dominguez, but the injury has denied the 24-year-old the chance of linking up with the senior England squad for a second time.
Nuno Espirito Santo admitted that he was “worried” about the England international after he limped off the Stamford Bridge pitch.
“We are worried about him,” the head coach said. “Hopefully, it is nothing and he can join up with the England squad. But he will have a scan tomorrow (Monday).
“It is important that it is nothing serious and that he can join them and play. But we also need him. Hopefully, it is not too serious.”
A Three Lions statement confirmed the news that Gibbs-White would join Konsa and Mainoo in withdrawing: “Morgan Gibbs-White, Ezri Konsa and Kobbie Mainoo will miss England’s October internationals.
“The trio all sustained injuries for their respective clubs over the weekend and have been ruled out of the Three Lions’ UEFA Nations League fixtures against Greece and Finland. All other 22 players are at St. George’s Park with no further additions planned at this time.
“England host Greece at Wembley on Thursday 10 October (7.45pm kick-off) before travelling to Helsinki to face Finland on Sunday 13 October (5pm kick-off).”
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