Trio absent for England’s opening Nations League game against Hungary

Gareth Southgate has shed light on the state of his England squad ahead of their Nations League opener against Hungary.

England travel to Budapest to take on Hungary, before travelling to Berlin to take on Germany. They then face fixtures at Molineux against Italy and Hungary again in the next fortnight.

And, after a gruelling season, it is perhaps unsurprising that some players will be unavailable for the upcoming games despite their initial selection.

Both Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan and Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi have been ruled out of the clash at the Puskas arena through injury, while they are also touch and go for the trip to Germany.

Meanwhile, Manchester City forward Phil Foden has tested positive for COVID-19, and will look to rejoin the squad following their return to England. Fellow Manchester City man Raheem Sterling is ill at present, but will be assessed ahead of the game.

On Southgate presser. Tomori & Guehi won’t be involved against Hungary. A chance for some involvement versus Germany, then should be fine. Foden has tested positive for Covid & has left the camp – aiming to return after squad returns from Germany. Sterling ill, assessed tomorrow.

— James Olley (@JamesOlley) June 3, 2022

England looking threadbare

Ahead of the clash in Budapest, England are looking somewhat threadbare in defence. Ben White has already withdrawn, with no replacement having been announced.

Speedy recovery, @ben6white! 👊

— England (@England) May 30, 2022

With Guehi and Tomori also missing, the options are limited to just Harry Maguire, Conor Coady, John Stones and Kyle Walker in the centre back roles.

Further forward, decisions will have to be made regarding who partners Declan Rice in midfield, with Jude Bellingham perhaps the more attacking option, while Kalvin Phillips represents the ‘safer’ option that excelled at Euro 2020.

And, with Foden missing and Sterling touch and go, a debut could be in the offing for Jarrod Bowen.