Palmer withdraws from England squad with Gibbs-White set for call-up
By Adegboyega Adeleye
Cole Palmer has withdrawn from England’s squad because of a muscle injury, with Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White set to replace the Chelsea star, according to Sky Sports.
Palmer was recalled by England manager Thomas Tuchel after being controversially omitted from the Three Lions’ 2026 World Cup squad. However, he will now miss England’s upcoming Nations League fixtures against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia.
Gibbs-White, who was left out of Tuchel’s initial squad, is expected to be called up as Palmer’s replacement.
The 26-year-old Forest midfielder was close to selection when Tuchel announced his squad last week, with the England boss acknowledging his strong form.
“We can see the form Morgan is in, and he ended the season very strongly and was the key player for Forest to not be relegated. We can see him stepping up now,” Tuchel said.
Tuchel had also challenged Palmer to reproduce his club form after recalling him to the England squad.
“It’s one thing to be nominated and get back in the squad and to perform. Cole needs to show these kinds of numbers and performances to get his shirt and justify the nomination,” he said.
Palmer, 24, had made an encouraging start to the new season after an injury-hit 2025-26 campaign, scoring four goals and providing two assists in seven appearances for Chelsea. He played the full 90 minutes in Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat by Brentford on Friday.
The Chelsea forward had previously said he felt physically stronger after recovering from his recurring groin problem.
“Physically I feel good, probably the best I’ve felt in ages, but I think I can [get fitter] with games and more minutes,” Palmer told Sky Sports.
“Before my groin injury, I’d never really been injured. Well, rarely [injured]. So then I would just come back and play when I shouldn’t have played.”
Palmer was one of the high-profile absentees from England’s World Cup squad announced in May, alongside Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Tuchel subsequently recalled Palmer and Alexander-Arnold for the latest Nations League camp.
Gibbs-White, meanwhile, has continued to impress for Nottingham Forest. He scored 15 Premier League goals and provided four assists last season and was described by Sky Sports as one of the league’s standout performers.
His most recent England appearance came in a 3-0 friendly win over Wales in October 2025.
England’s extended international break begins with a Nations League meeting with Spain at Wembley on September 26, followed by away fixtures against the Czech Republic on September 29 and Croatia on October 3. The Three Lions then host the Czech Republic on October 6.
Manchester United duo Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo are also doubts for the international break after both were substituted during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Fulham.
Rashford is being assessed over a hip problem, while Mainoo is also facing an injury concern. Should Mainoo withdraw, Everton midfielder James Garner is understood to be among the options to replace him.
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