Thomas Tuchel has suffered a huge injury blow as an England star is set ‘to miss the World Cup’ and the German boss has called up a replacement to the Three Lions squad
Thomas Tuchel has suffered a huge injury blow with an England star reportedly set to miss the World Cup through injury as a replacement has been called up.
England’s preparations for their opening group clash against Croatia on Wednesday have been rocked by the news that Newcastle right-back Tino Livramento will miss the tournament.
According to The Telegraph, Livramento won’t play any part in North America, but because the injury has been reported before the opening group game, a replacement can be named. Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah has received the call from the German to join up with the squad.
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
The 23-year-old wasn’t expected to be England’s starting right-back, with Reece James likely to be first choice. However, Livramento is able to operate on either flank and leaves England with just three options at full-back.
Current options at right-back are now limited to just James, who has endured another season of minutes monitoring at Chelsea due to persistent injury troubles.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly and Djed Spence, who fell out of favour at relegation-fighting Tottenham under Roberto De Zerbi, remain the only other two out-and-out options in a 26-man squad.
Livramento’s replacement Chalobah played just once all season at right-back for the Blues, with the 26-year-old playing his entire career at centre-back.
England already looked short in the full-back position, with Livramento ironically selected in the 26-man squad ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luke Shaw and Lewis Hall despite playing just 17 Premier League games in an injury-hit campaign.
Livramento was only fit to play four times since the start of January after suffering hamstring and thigh problems and was an injury doubt when the squad was named last month.
Tuchel is also praying on the fitness of Bukayo Saka to save him further embarrassment as the Arsenal winger admitted he is ‘gambling’ on his fitness to play a part in the tournament after also suffering from an injury before heading Stateside.
He said: “I don’t want to say anything that goes against the manager. But what I would say between Mikel [Arteta] and Arsenal’s medical team and England’s medical team, since March they have managed me amazingly and helped me get back on the pitch and do what I can for the team. I am feeling better than I have felt for the last few months. I am ready to go.
“As players it’s the biggest gamble, especially if you’re not feeling your sharpest. You have the choice whether you don’t play or you put yourself out there knowing people are going to judge you the same.
“At the end of the day people don’t really care how you’re feeling, they expect you to deliver, they expect you to perform. I’m happy to take the gamble. It paid off, I’d say. I’m going to continue doing that. But I am feeling a lot better than I did in March and I’m ready to go.”