For England, Marcus Rashford's withdrawal with injury is bad news ahead of their first fixtures of 2023. One of their better players at the World Cup, and arguably one of the Premier League's players of the season so far, Rashford was in perfect form to kick on and make the England left-wing spot his own.
However, a knock in the FA Cup win over Fulham has ruled the Manchester United forward out of the fixtures with Italy and Ukraine, with no plans for the FA to call up a replacement.
His loss is Phil Foden's gain, as well as Jack Grealish's. If Rashford was in the squad, the two Manchester City wingers would be competing with him for the same left-wing spot.
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Bukayo Saka will likely take the right-wing place, with Harry Kane up front. Rashford's withdrawal boosts both Foden's and Grealish's chances of playing more over the coming week.
Foden can of course play on the right, while he has also seen more action in the centre for England than at City. Mason Mount's withdrawal may mean he is needed in attacking midfield, too.
Grealish, meanwhile, has seen most of his 29 caps come off the bench, while he has only completed 90 minutes for his country four times. He will hope to add two more starts to his 12 so far for England, having been almost undroppable for City in their recent run of good form.
Of City's last 14 games, Grealish has started 12, with his two substitute appearances coming in the cup. His improved form has seen his goal and assists return take an upturn, especially away from home, which could help England in Napoli away to Italy. Gareth Southgate rarely likes to play those who aren't featuring regularly for their clubs, which may have limited Grealish's international progress, but there are no such concerns this week.
Now, there is one less obstacle on the left to stop Grealish from an England start - although Saka's form may mean he is still fighting with Foden for that left-wing berth. Foden was a breakout among the England side at the World Cup in terms of graduating from a substitute role to a starter, following Saka's rise at Euro 2020.
Foden's job is to keep his place as the 2024 Euros qualifiers begin, and Grealish's is to follow Foden and Saka into the starting XI. As much as a blow Rashford's withdrawal is, his Premier League rivals will be looking to take advantage.
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