Palmer, Watkins, Foden injury absentees in Nations League

England interim manager Lee Carsley will be without Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins for the Uefa Nations League fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Finland in February after all three withdrew from his squad.

Manchester City forward and PFA Player of the Year Foden has not joined the squad because of illness, while Chelsea talisman Palmer and Aston Villa striker Watkins have returned to their clubs to “continue their rehabilitation from ongoing issues”, the FA said.

The Three Lions meet the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Saturday and host Finland at Wembley three days later in their first matches since losing the final of Euro 2024 against Spain.

Day one ☑️ pic.twitter.com/Kpwk7pkhfA

— England (@England) September 3, 2024

England squad: Nations League

Palmer set up Watkins for England’s last-gasp winner against the Netherlands in the semi-finals in Germany before Foden equalised after coming on against La Roja.

The withdrawals could give some of the newcomers called by Carsley a chance to shine during games in which the Under-21 boss is expected to stake a claim to take the role on a permanent basis.

The likes of Chelsea’s Noni Madueke, Lille’s Angel Gomes and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White were surprising inclusions from Carsley, who has taken temporary charge following Gareth Southgate’s resignation after Euro 2024.

Manchester City playmaker Jack Grealish is also back in the reckoning after being a high-profile exclusion from the squad for the finals.

JG. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/JqXSgfnVC8

— England (@England) September 3, 2024

Carsley: Squad ‘exciting’

“We have some really exciting attacking players,” Carsley said after making his selection last week. “If you can get players in their positions and give them a chance to showcase their ability, it can be exciting.

“We want to create chances and give those players a chance to attack. We want to play to the players’ strengths and that’s the philosophy.”

Carsley led England to their first Euro Under-21 title since 1984 last year, beating Spain in the final. “Looking at the squad, I’ve worked with the majority of them, whether it be when I was assisting or managing the Under-21s,” he said.

“I also wanted to get the staff around me that know how I work and how I want the camp to run. The players who have been called up are really exciting and they were great phone calls to make.”

New boys in town 🦁 pic.twitter.com/RZnlg90KkJ

— England (@England) September 3, 2024

Gibbs-White, Gomes, Madueke

“Morgan’s a very attacking player, full of energy, very creative and very exciting. He’s got a brilliant attitude and work rate and he’s very difficult to play against. He’s been very successful with England.

“A lot of the players we’ve called in are used to winning. Morgan and Angel have been part of teams that won the Under-17s World Cup and Under-21 EUROs.

“Angel is different to what we’ve seen in the past in midfield. He’s not so much the classic physical, robust midfielder but he’s very technical and controls the game with skill. He’s got an excellent attitude and I think he’s a player people are going to be excited to see.

“Noni can provide a bit of energy and enthusiasm and has had a great start to the season with Chelsea.”