England’s preparation for the next two Nations League games is going badly. In addition to Jack Grealish, captain Harry Kane was absent from team training again on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a duo has been added to the squad – and is hoping to make their debut for the Three Lions.
Lee Carsley would certainly have wished for a calmer preparation for the next two Nations League games. But first, England’s interim coaches with Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa) and Manchester United’s 19-year-old high-flyer Kobbie Mainoo, three professionals canceled due to injury.
Then, on Tuesday, two important players were already missing from team training. Manchester City winger Jack Grealish was among those to withdraw, with the English Football Association reporting on its website that the 29-year-old was “taking a precautionary measure after suffering a minor knock”.
Harry Kane, who had to be substituted in the 72nd minute during Bayern Munich’s 3-3 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt last Sunday, had already missed training the day before. As on Tuesday, Kane only worked individually on Wednesday. He is recovering from an injury, “a small knock, we won’t take any risks,” said Carsley. Kane will therefore be rested against Greece at Wembley on Thursday.
In the game in Finland on Sunday (6 p.m.), the captain of the Three Lions should ideally be an option for the starting lineup again. “I hope he can play,” said Carsley, “but here, too, the future will show. I don’t think we should rush into anything.”
For Kane, Dominic Solanke is a special returnee. And with regard to the already established losses after the last Premier League weekend, there are new options. While Carsley initially decided against late nominations, two successors were officially named on Wednesday.
Jones and Livramento both hope to make their debut
On Tuesday evening, Curtis Jones (Liverpool) and Valentino Livramento (Newcastle United) were two players who had not yet played an international A-match. Jones was first nominated in May 2024, Livramento in the last international match – both without playing.
Now, midfield dynamo Jones and right-back Livramento have two new chances: the game against the Greeks will be followed by the second game against Finland (first game 2-0) in Helsinki next Sunday (6 p.m.).
