Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer pull out of England squad ahead of Nations League double-header | OneFootball

Interim manager Lee Carsley sees host of key players withdraw

Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Cole Palmer have all dropped out of the England squad for the Nations League double header against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.

Interim Three Lions boss Lee Carsley named an 26-man squad last week, the final squad before Thomas Tuchel takes over in January.

Rice had been dealing with a foot injury at Arsenal and missed their 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League and while he did play against Chelsea on Sunday, had to come off.

Palmer, who missed training following a challenge from Lisandro Martinez during Chelsea’s draw with Manchester United before playing against the Gunners, is another to have dropped out. Blues teammate Levi Colwill has also withdrawn.

Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold came off during their win over Aston Villa on Saturday and has withdrawn, along with Manchester City duo Jack Grealish and Phil Foden.

It has opened the door for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers to receive his first senior call, while James Trafford, Tino Livramento, Jarrad Branthwaite and Jarrod Bowen have also been added to the squad, which leaves Carsley with a 23-man group.

"Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers has received his first senior call up," a Football Association statement read.

"Jarrod Bowen and Jarrad Branthwaite along with the uncapped Tino Livramento and James Trafford have also been added to Lee Carsley's squad.

"This follows the loss of eight players ahead of this week's UEFA Nations League fixtures.

"Trent Alexander-Arnold, Levi Colwill, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Cole Palmer, Aaron Ramsdale, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are all unavailable."