Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Ollie Watkins Withdrawn from England's Nations League Squad Due to Injuries and Illness"

Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Ollie Watkins have all been ruled out of England's upcoming Nations League matches due to injuries and illness, the English Football Association confirmed on Tuesday. This comes as a significant blow to the team as they prepare for their first matches under interim manager Lee Carsley.

England is set to face the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, followed by a home match against Finland at Wembley Stadium three days later in League B of the Nations League. Chelsea star Cole Palmer, who scored in England's Euro 2024 final loss to Spain, and Aston Villa's key striker Ollie Watkins, have returned to their respective clubs to recover from their injuries. Manchester City forward Phil Foden did not join the squad due to illness.

The English Football Association has stated that "no further additions are planned at this moment in time," leaving the current squad to face these crucial matches. This will be England's first outing since Gareth Southgate's eight-year tenure as manager came to an end, marking a new chapter in England's football journey.

Interim manager Lee Carsley has brought fresh faces into the squad, including Noni Madueke, Morgan Gibbs-White, Tino Livramento, and Angel Gomes, all of whom have received their first call-ups. These players will be eager to make their mark as England begins this new era in the Nations League.

This update highlights the challenges England faces as they adapt to changes in both management and squad availability, with key players sidelined. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the team performs in these pivotal matches.