Morgan Gibbs-White is in line for an England recall to replace Cole Palmer, who is set to withdraw from the squad because of a minor injury. Nottingham Forest midfielder Gibbs-White missed out on selection in the initial squad for the upcoming Nations League matches, but is set to be called up.
Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel admitted on Friday that Gibbs-White was close to making the cut and the 26-year-old is now expected to replace Chelsea’s Palmer. Palmer, 24, had been recalled by Tuchel after being controversially left out of England’s World Cup squad. Tuchel previously said Palmer had a “point to prove” and needed “to step up” to “keep his shirt and justify the nomination”.
However, the Blues forward will now miss the extended international break in which England play four games. The Three Lions face World Cup winners Spain at Wembley on Saturday, 26 September, then travel to the Czech Republic (29 September) and Croatia (3 October) before hosting the Czechs on 6 October. Manchester United duo Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo are also both thought to be injury doubts for England.
They are being assessed by their club after being taken off in the closing stages of Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Fulham. If Mainoo withdraws, it is understood Everton midfielder James Garner – who made his senior England debut in March but was not selected for the World Cup – is a strong option to replace him. Palmer’s withdrawal comes after he played the full game for Chelsea in their 3-0 defeat at Brentford on Friday.
Following a summer off after missing out on World Cup selection, he has started six of Chelsea’s seven games and played the full 90 minutes in five of them – scoring four goals and providing two assists.