January 14, 2025
England hit by double injury for Nations League as Lee Carsley faces centre-back shortage

England hit by double injury for Nations League as Lee Carsley faces centre-back shortage

England hit by double injury for Nations League as Lee Carsley faces centre-back shortage

Morgan Gibbs-White was lost in the second half in Nottingham Forest’s draw against Chelsea – Getty Images/Ritchie Sumpter

Lee Carsley has suffered a double whammy as England prepare to face off for their upcoming UEFA Nations League matches.

Ezri Konsa is missing after suffering an apparent hamstring injury early in Aston Villa’s goalless draw at home to Manchester United.

Another absentee is expected to be Morgan Gibbs-White, who was replaced in the second half during Nottingham Forest’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea. It appears the midfielder suffered an ankle or lower leg injury while attempting to kick the ball.

Konsa fell victim to a challenge from United’s Rasmus Hojlund, with Villa manager Unai Emery later saying the centre-back’s injury still needed to be properly assessed. But he is not expected to be fit to face Greece – at Wembley on Thursday – or Finland next Sunday.

“I don’t know, I hope it’s not much.” Hopefully he can rest during the international break,” Emery said. “We can have a few days off [in the international break] we can recover our energy and try to attack next month.

England hit by double injury for Nations League as Lee Carsley faces centre-back shortageEngland hit by double injury for Nations League as Lee Carsley faces centre-back shortage

Ezri Konsa was forced off the field with an injury in the first half – Getty Images/Michael Regan

There was further bad news for Carsley with Harry Maguire, a potential replacement for Konsa, having been left out of the squad announced last week, also leaving at half-time.

Maguire was seen wearing a protective boot leaving Villa Park and had to be replaced with Noussair Mazraoui during United’s 0-0 draw.

“We have to take them off at halftime. We need to see what the diagnosis is on this,” Ten Hag said.

“We have to evaluate that. I can’t tell you now what the problem is. I know what the problem is but [I cannot say now] how good or bad it is. We have to evaluate this tomorrow [Monday] and then we will bring you news.

England hit by double injury for Nations League as Lee Carsley faces centre-back shortageEngland hit by double injury for Nations League as Lee Carsley faces centre-back shortage

Harry Maguire needed help off the field – PA/Nick Potts

Carsley will evaluate his options after naming a 25-man squad last week. There was a scare for England captain Harry Kane, who was substituted in the second half of Bayern Munich’s 3-3 Bundesliga draw with Eintracht Frankfurt following a collision that left him injured care of the right thigh.

Kane fell and needed treatment on his right leg, before getting up and leaving, to be replaced by Mathys Tel.

Among the defenders, Levi Colwill was a late substitute for Chelsea, but it is understood he is still expected to report to St George’s Park with the rest of the squad on Monday.

Carsley will almost certainly have to replace Konsa with only three fit centre-backs in his squad. Another possible option, Jarrad Branthwaite, missed Everton’s home draw against Newcastle United on Saturday also due to injury.

Gibbs-White’s absence can be covered more easily, with Jude Bellingham back in the team along with Cole Palmer and Phil Foden, but Carsley could consider recalling in-form James Maddison from Tottenham or Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace, who was excluded from the team. having been called last month. Carsley also discussed an early inclusion for Villa’s Morgan Rogers.

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