John Stones injury puts England squad place in doubt for Thomas Tuchel

John Stones is set to miss England’s next squad after Inter Milan confirmed the defender has suffered a thigh injury.

Thomas Tuchel is due to announce his first England squad since the World Cup on Friday, but Stones now faces a race against time to recover from the setback.

Inter said on Thursday morning that the 32-year-old had sustained a muscular strain to his left thigh. The Italian club added that Stones had undergone clinical and diagnostic tests, with his condition due to be assessed again in the coming days.

The England international was injured during Inter’s dramatic 5-3 victory over Udinese on Monday evening.

According to The Sun, the setback is “particularly frustrating” for Stones, who had made his first start for Inter after joining the Serie A club from Manchester City.

Reports in Italy suggest the defender could be sidelined for about a month, potentially ruling him out of Tuchel’s upcoming plans.

The injury leaves Tuchel considering alternative options in defence as he prepares to name his squad. England face a demanding Nations League schedule during the next international break, with matches against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia.