England are reeling under the plague of a grinding injury crisis ahead of their next international friendly against Belgium on March 26, 2024, at Wembley
As of the time of filing this report, three more players have withdrawn from the squad due to injuries with Gareth Southgate having to promote two more youngsters to the senior setup to fill the gaps.
Harry Kane was the first injury casualty in Gareth Southgate’s 25-man squad for the ongoing March international break. Kane picked up a gruesome injury blow after he crashed awkwardly against the goalpost and twisted his ankle in Bayern Munich’s last Bundesliga match against Darmstadt before the international break.
Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund raised fears Kane may not be allowed to join the England squad for the international break. However, after assessment of the injury, the club agreed to let him off the hook but on a condition he will be on rehabilitation in collaboration with the club.
We reported earlier Harry Kane has finally withdrawn from the England squad and returned to Bayern Munich for treatment after Gareth Southgate confirmed he will miss the double-header friendlies in the break due to the injury.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s highest goalscorer this season, Bukayo Saka, had also withdrawn from the squad due to an undisclosed injury.
Now, the injury toll has taken a turn for the worst with three more withdrawals recorded. Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker is among the list of latest injury casualties.
Walker was forced off the first friendly against Brazil in the 20th minute with an apparent hamstring issue.
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has also withdrawn from the squad due to injury.
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire completes the three-man injury casualties that have left the squad.
Meanwhile, the serial injury blows have offered opportunities to some promising England U21 youngsters to earn their first call-up to the senior setup. 21-year-old Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford has been called up to replace Sam Johnstone while fast-rising Manchester City young defender Rico Lewis, 19, replaces Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire.
England FA statement confirming the withdrawal of the trio and the promotion of the duo reads;
“James Trafford and Rico Lewis have moved across from the MU21s to join the England senior men’s squad.
“The pair report to Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground following the withdrawal of Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker and Sam Johnstone through injury.
“Maguire, Walker, and Johnstone have returned to their respective clubs for assessment having sustained injuries in recent days.”
Rico Lewis and James Trafford
Rico Lewis is a homegrown Manchester City star. The Manchester City academy graduate broke into City’s first-team in 2022. He has made 24 Premier League appearances, playing as a fullback with one goal.
The Bury-born defender has grown through the ranks in the England setup, playing for the team at different youth levels. He has played for England U18, U18, U19, and U21 levels, and will hope to cement his place in the senior setup following his call-up.
James Trafford is also a Manchester City academy graduate. He was promoted to City’s first-team in 2021 but failed to make a single appearance for the club.
He was sent on loans to lower-division clubs throughout his two-year stint with City before signing a permanent contract with Burnley in 2023.
Despite his less-than-stellar club career, Trafford had a promising youth career with England youth teams. He has played for England U17, U18, U19, U20, and U21 levels.
The two Manchester City graduates are the third youngsters to be promoted to the England senior setup in the international break after Kobbie Mainoo.
Gareth Southgate will be hoping to weather the injury crisis and return the team to winning ways against Belgium in their next friendly on Tuesday, March 26.
England suffered their first defeat in 15 months, losing 1-0 to Brazil in the first of the double-header friendlies, no thanks to substitute Endrick’s lone winner.
