England squad will be the first of its kind since 1976 after triple injury announcement

Three England players have pulled out of the squad for games against Greece and Finland.

England’s squad for upcoming games against Greece and Finland appears to end a 48-year trend for the Three Lions.

Lee Carsley’s side are back in Nations League action after two victories last time out, with largely the same set of players selected.

Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Kyle Walker are all back in the squad, which was initially made up of 25 players.

However, on Monday evening it emerged that a trio of stars had pulled out of the squad.

Kobbie Mainoo, Ezri Konsa and Morgan Gibbs-White have all had to leave the squad after suffering injuries over the weekend for their respective clubs.

The squad is down to 22, with no plans to call up any replacements to St George’s Park at present.

And according to the Daily Express, for the first time since 1976, an England squad does not feature a Manchester United player.

The Red Devils have regularly been represented in England squads but Mainoo’s withdrawal due to injury ends a remarkable run.

 

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

Harry Maguire was left out after playing in Carsley’s first game in charge against the Republic of Ireland and limped off with an injury against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Marcus Rashford does not appear to be under consideration, while Mason Mount has not played for England since 2022 and has a queue of players ahead of him.

Luke Shaw returned to fitness to help England in the Euro 2024 knockouts, starting the final defeat to Spain.

However he is once again on the treatment table and is yet to make an appearance for Erik ten Hag’s men so far this season.

Eberechi Eze, Tino Livramento and Jarrod Bowen have all been left out of Carsley’s second squad after making his first camp, with the likes of James Maddison and Morgan Rogers notable omissions.

Dominic Solanke has received a first call up in seven years after a fine run of form following his £65 million move to Spurs.

 

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

He made his debut back in 2017 against Brazil, coming on as a 75th minute substitute in a 0-0 draw.

“In the back of my mind, I wanted to make sure it feels fresh… feels that when you get that email or WhatsApp [to say] that you’ve been called up, that it’s an achievement because it shouldn’t be something that is taken for granted,” Carsley said, explaining the four changes he made to the squad.

“I thought it was important that it is not just a copy and paste. I want them to feel like they have earned their place in the squad.”