England football team is set to welcome back Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White to the squad. Gibbs-White is expected to replace Chelsea's Cole Palmer, who will withdraw from the team due to a minor injury. Palmer was recalled by England's manager Thomas Tuchel after being left out of the World Cup squad. Tuchel had stated that Palmer had a "point to prove" and needed to perform well to secure his place in the team.
Palmer's withdrawal comes after he played the full game for Chelsea in their 3-0 defeat at Brentford on Friday. He had started six of Chelsea's seven games this season and played the full 90 minutes in five of them, scoring four goals and providing two assists. However, he suffered a recurring groin injury in the 2025-26 season, which Chelsea had to manage. Palmer last played for England in their 1-0 friendly defeat by Japan in March.
Gibbs-White, on the other hand, made his most recent England appearance in a 3-0 friendly win against Wales in October 2025. He has had a good start to the season with Nottingham Forest, contributing one goal and two assists in their five league games. Gibbs-White was close to making the initial squad for the upcoming Nations League matches but was not selected.
England's manager Thomas Tuchel had admitted on Friday that Gibbs-White was close to making the cut. The 26-year-old is now expected to replace Palmer in the squad. England will play four games during the extended international break, starting with a match against World Cup winners Spain at Wembley on September 26.
England's upcoming fixtures also include away matches against the Czech Republic on September 29 and Croatia on October 3, followed by a home match against the Czech Republic on October 6. The team may also face injury doubts with Manchester United duo Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo being assessed by their club after being taken off in the closing stages of their 1-1 draw at Fulham.
If Kobbie Mainoo withdraws from the squad, Everton midfielder James Garner is considered a strong option to replace him. Garner made his senior England debut in March but was not selected for the World Cup. This could be an opportunity for him to prove himself and secure a place in the team.
The changes in the England squad come as a result of injuries and form, highlighting the challenges teams face in managing player fitness and selection. The team's performance in the upcoming Nations League matches will be crucial in assessing their preparedness for future competitions.
Key points
- Morgan Gibbs-White is set to replace Cole Palmer in the England squad due to a minor injury.
- England faces four Nations League matches during the extended international break.
- The team may also face injury doubts with Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo.
