England’s preparations for their upcoming Nations League matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland have hit another bump.
A ninth player has now pulled out, adding to a growing list of absentees.
The latest withdrawal comes just after eight players pulled out earlier this week, leaving interim boss Lee Carsley with a further challenge on his hands.
Jarrad Branthwaite’s Injury Troubles
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite was initially part of the squad but has struggled to recover from an injury that has plagued him since the start of the season.
Despite efforts to shake it off, Branthwaite has not been able to fully return to fitness and will now head back to his club.
This leaves Carsley with a vacancy, and he has called up Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah as a replacement.
A Staggering Number of Withdrawals
Branthwaite’s departure adds to a long list of high-profile players who have also pulled out, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Levi Colwill, and Aaron Ramsdale.
This series of absences has put a strain on England’s squad ahead of the upcoming international fixtures.
Harry Kane’s Frustration with Player Withdrawals
England captain Harry Kane has expressed his disappointment over the situation.
Speaking to ITV, Kane suggested that some players may have taken advantage of the current busy period in the season.
He emphasized that playing for England should come before everything else, including club commitments.
Kane recalled that under Gareth Southgate, the joy of representing England was reignited, with players excited to join the camp and play for the national team.
He acknowledged that the timing of this week’s withdrawals was unfortunate, but he stressed that England should always come first.
Kane made it clear that he wasn’t thrilled about the situation, stating that national duty should always take precedence over club matters.
England’s Focus Shifts to Greece
Despite these setbacks, England’s squad is pressing on, as they head to Greece for their match on Thursday.
The team will be looking for revenge after a 2-1 defeat to the Greeks at Wembley last month.
With the squad thinner than expected, Jarell Quansah, who has been training with the team in place of Branthwaite, will now compete for a spot in the starting lineup.
He’ll be up against Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis for a place in the defense.
As the team prepares for this crucial match, the focus will be on regaining momentum and getting back on track despite the ongoing challenges.
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