Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice is one of five players who have dropped out of the England squad through injury.
The FA confirmed on Monday afternoon the names of five players who have withdrawn from Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the four Nations League matches over the next three weeks.
It was also revealed that two players had been given late call-ups as replacements for the injured quintet.
England are due to begin their six-game league phase of the Nations League when they host newly crowned world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday.
They then visit Czechia in Prague next Tuesday before facing Croatia in Rijeka and the Czechia at Wembley on October 6. The three-week international break is the first since a change to FIFA’s match calendar brought the September and October breaks into one prolonged window.
Despite all being originally named in the squad on Friday, Rice, Tino Livramento, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer and Marcus Rashford have all been ruled out.
They have been replaced by Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and Everton midfielder James Garner, both of whom missed the cut for the World Cup but have represented their country before.
Rice has struggled with niggling injuries over the past 12 months and will now be given rest at Arsenal over the coming weeks. The Gunners’ next game is on October 10 at home to Leeds United in the Premier League.
Standard Sport had already reported on Monday morning that Palmer was set to drop out of the squad with a muscular injury which Chelsea are keen to manage at Cobham.
The England players who are joining up for the Nations League will arrive at England’s training base at St George’s Park on Tuesday.
