Triple blow for England as Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Ollie Watkins all withdraw from squad for first games under Lee Carsley

The Three Lions squad have been hit with a triple blow ahead of their upcoming Nations League matches as forward Cole Palmer, Ollie Watkins and Phil Foden withdrew from consideration. Palmer and Watkins reported to St. George’s Park on Tuesday for training, but they were sent back to their respective clubs to continue their rehabilitation process. On the other hand, Foden did not arrive at all due to illness.

The Manchester City star missed the club's last two Premier League outings due to a stomach virus and he is yet to recover from it. The Sun had earlier reported that the English champions will place an official request with England to release the 24-year-old attacker from their squad so that he could fully recover and return to action after the international break.

Even though three star players exited the squad ahead of their crucial fixtures in the Nations League, it is unlikely that Carsley would make any new additions to the roster to replace the injured players.

England will play their first match since the Gareth Southgate era on Saturday as they take on Ireland before facing Finland on September 10.