Thomas Tuchel’s plans for Tuesday’s friendly against Japan have been complicated after the England squad was hit by further dropouts.
Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke have returned to Arsenal for “medical assessment”, while John Stones has also withdrawn.
It is far from ideal for Tuchel ahead of what is the final England friendly before he names his 26-man squad for the World Cup.
But their departures present opportunities for other players to impress, as Tuchel finalises his plans for next summer.
Captain Harry Kane, Marc Guehi and Elliot Anderson are among Tuchel's most trusted players who have joined up with the squad and will play after missing Friday’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay, when an experimental side struggled at Wembley.
Adam Wharton, Aaron Ramsdale, Fikayo Tomori and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have also dropped out and a revised 27-man squad is preparing to face Japan.
Jordan Pickford will return in goal and Dan Burn, Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa have joined the squad and are in line to start in defence, though Tino Livramento is an option at right-back.
Nico O’Reilly is set to start at left-back, fresh from his heroics for Manchester City in their Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal last weekend.
With Rice missing, James Garner is in line for another opportunity in midfield alongside Anderson after looking at home on the England stage against Uruguay.
Saka’s absence could present a chance for Jarrod Bowen but Tuchel could try Cole Palmer on the right.
Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham are vying to start at No10, with Gordon set for a start on the left and Kane up front.
Ben White, who scored, conceded a penalty and was booed against Uruguay on his first appearance since leaving the 2022 World Cup early, could get another chance to impress from the bench.
It remains to be seen if Phil Foden features against Japan after he struggled at No10 against Uruguay and was forced off after a bad tackle from Ronald Araujo.
Predicted England XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Konsa, Burn, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Garner; Bowen, Rogers, Gordon; Kane
Time and date: 7.45pm GMT on Tuesday March 31, 2026
Venue: Wembley Stadium
How to watch: ITV1 and ITVX
