England stars pull out of Carsley’s squad including Saka and Grealish | Football | Sport
Lee Carsley has been handed a nightmare injury list ahead of his final camp in charge as England’s interim manager.
England travel to Greece for a make-or-break Nations League clash later this week, before wrapping things up for the year at home to Ireland on Sunday.
But Carsley, who will be replaced by incoming Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel in the new year, is set to be without eight key players for the Nations League doubleheader.
Bukayo Saka is among those to have backed out after the Arsenal ace was seen limping off the Stamford Bridge pitch late on during Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea.
The attacking midfielder has shone in the England youth set-up and has previously worked with Carsley for the under-21s team.
Rogers has enjoyed a stellar start to the campaign, registering three goals and three assists across all competitions for an Aston Villa side fighting on both domestic and European fronts.
West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite have been called up to the squad, with the uncapped duo Tino Livramento (Newcastle) and James Trafford (Burnley) also making the step up.
The injury and fatigue problems mean Carsley will likely have to hand out several first caps, especially given Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton), Lewis Hall (Newcastle) and Curtis Jones (Liverpool) were all named in the original squad.
Commenting on his selections last week, the ex-Birmingham player said: “It’s a really big responsibility. You have to earn the right to be in this squad, it’s prestigious, and they’re great phone calls to make.
“You know their back story. Being able to make those kind of calls has been a privilege and something we don’t take for granted.
“The challenge is now to stay there. If you’re playing well in the Premier League you have a good chance but once you’re here you have to sustain that performance and compete.”
England need a win in Athens to keep their hopes of Nations League promotion alive.
