England hit by EIGHT injury withdrawals as Lee Carsley calls up five additional players to his squad ahead of his final two matches in interim charge

England have been rocked by a plethora of withdrawals ahead of this week’s Nations League double header against Greece and Ireland.

Interim boss Lee Carsley will have to take charge for the final two of his games without eight players from his original squad before Thomas Tuchel takes over in January, with his preparations descending into chaos.

There was good news for Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers, who earned his first call-up as a substitute, but Trent Alexander-Arnold, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Aaron Ramsdale have all dropped out due to an injury.

Jarrad Branthwaite, Jarrod Bowen, James Trafford and Tino Livramento have also been included in Carsley’s squad.

Anthony Gordon, Kyle Walker and Dominic Solanke, who reported problems after their respective matches at the weekend, remain with the squad.

West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen (left) and Burnley’s James Trafford (right) are among those called up

Aston Villa striker Morgan Rogers (right) has been given a first England call-up

The coming matches will be crucial to decide whether England automatically qualify again for the top tier of the Nations League, or face the undesirable scenario of a play-off in March.

But as the England team awaits Tuchel’s arrival, Carsley will have to make do without a string of key players in news that will come as a huge blow to the interim boss.

The news will be seen as a victory for a number of Premier League managers who have privately insisted their players remain at their clubs.

Last Friday, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola spoke of his anger at Carsley’s decision to call up Grealish, who has not played since October 20 due to injury.

Grealish has returned to training, but the forward has still withdrawn from the squad, a decision that will appease Guardiola.

Elsewhere, Arsenal duo Rice (broken toes) and Saka (thigh) have withdrawn in news that will come as a major relief to Mikel Arteta, who insisted the pair are not fit enough to report for international duty.

Alexander-Arnold, who has become a key figure in Carsley’s interim reign, suffered a hamstring injury during Liverpool’s win over Aston Villa on Saturday.

The right-back escaped with only a minor hamstring injury after limping on Saturday and it is hoped he can return to action soon, especially with Liverpool playing Southampton on November 24 before two big clashes against Real Madrid the following Wednesday. and title rivals Manchester City on December 1.

Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka (left) and Declan Rice (right) have both withdrawn from the squad

Trent Alexander-Arnold has withdrawn from the England squad after picking up an injury during Sunday’s win over Villa

Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento has been called up late to the England camp by Carsley

Palmer and Colwill both started and finished Chelsea’s draw against Arsenal on Sunday but will not play for England during this international window. Blues boss Enzo Maresca revealed Palmer was in ‘pain’ after the game against the Gunners.

Elsewhere, Southampton goalkeeper Ramsdale has a finger injury that may require surgery.

Of the wave of replacements, Rogers, originally included in the Under-21 squad, is the most exciting; the Villa midfielder started the season in impressive fashion.

Meanwhile, England are set to hold further talks over the possibility of adding Chelsea goalkeeper coach Henrique Hilario to Tuchel’s backroom staff.

Chelsea are open to letting Hilario leave for the Football Association on a permanent basis but have so far resisted attempts to make a part-time arrangement that would allow the Portuguese to play a dual role with the Blues.

James Melbourne has already left Chelsea, where he was head of performance analysis, to join Tuchel.