England hit with yet another injury blow in wake of Harry Kane comments as defender becomes ninth player to withdraw from Lee Carsley's squad

With two big games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland coming up, Branthwaite's withdrawal will not please captain Harry Kane, who expressed frustration at his international team-mates not making themselves available for Lee Carsley. The Everton defender will join the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka in staying at his club during the break instead to work on his fitness. Liverpool's Jarell Quansah is set to replace Branthwaite in the squad having trained with the Three Lions this week.

The withdrawal of so many players for the November internationals leaves England short in all departments for their two games. But a positive for Lee Carsley will be that it gives more opportunities for the younger members of the group to get some valuable minutes with the senior squad as they push for promotion in the Nations League.

Branthwaite has earned six caps for England but has not turned out in the famous white shirt since before Euro 2024. He will be hugely disappointed to have suffered a setback on what would have been a happy return for the 22-year-old.

England travel to Greece on Thursday before returning to Wembley three days later to host Ireland. They will have to pick up points in the first match if they are to top the group ahead of the Greeks.