England face selection headache as Cole Palmer and Manchester United duo come under doubt

Thomas Tuchel’s plans for England’s forthcoming Nations League fixtures have been thrown into uncertainty, with Cole Palmer expected to withdraw and Manchester United pair Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo also doubtful.

England are due to face Spain, Croatia and Czech Republic in the coming weeks, but Tuchel may now have to make further changes to his squad before the next international break begins.

Palmer’s return to the England squad had been one of the most positive developments in the initial selection plans. The Chelsea forward missed the most recent World Cup, making his expected involvement in the upcoming fixtures particularly significant.

However, according to French outlet Foot Mercato, citing The Athletic, Palmer is likely to pull out of the squad. The England coaching staff are reportedly keen to reduce his workload and avoid exposing him to too many matches over a short period.

That decision would leave Tuchel without one of the squad’s most prominent attacking options for the forthcoming Nations League games. It would also add to the uncertainty surrounding an England group whose final make-up had only recently begun to take shape.

Rashford and Mainoo, both of Manchester United, are also facing doubts over their availability for the international matches. The source does not give further details about the reasons for the uncertainty surrounding either player.

Tuchel could therefore be forced to revise his selection before England begin their next round of fixtures. The possibility of three high-profile absences has created a sudden challenge for the manager as he prepares for matches against Spain, Croatia and Czech Republic.

England finished third at the most recent World Cup after beating France 6-4 in an eventful third-place play-off. Their upcoming Nations League schedule will now be shaped by whether Palmer, Rashford and Mainoo are able to take part.

The latest concerns mean Tuchel’s squad could look significantly different by the time the international break arrives, with the England manager required to assess the fitness and workload of several key players before confirming his final group.