Jarell Quansah has withdrawn from England’s squad after sustaining an injury, forcing him to miss Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Latvia.
The 22-year-old centre-back has returned to Bayer Leverkusen as a precaution, with medical staff at the club now set to assess the issue.
Quansah, who has yet to make his senior England debut, had been hoping this international break would finally bring his first cap after being named in five previous squads.
However, those hopes have once again been dashed after he was left on the bench for Thursday’s 3–0 victory over Wales at Wembley and then ruled out of the squad entirely.
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England manager Thomas Tuchel has decided against calling up a replacement, leaving his 25-man group unchanged for the final qualifier of the break.
The decision is seen as a sign of confidence in the squad’s current depth, although it also represents another setback for Quansah, whose promising rise at club level has not yet translated into international recognition.
The young defender joined Bayer Leverkusen from Liverpool in a £30million move during the summer and has impressed in Germany, earning regular starts in both the Bundesliga and Champions League.
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Jarell Quansah has withdrawn from England’s squad after sustaining an injury, forcing him to miss Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Latvia
|PA
His form earned him a call-up from Tuchel earlier this month, and he had been tipped to feature at some stage in England’s double-header.
Quansah’s latest setback comes amid wider injury concerns in Tuchel’s squad, with both Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins still being monitored ahead of the trip to Riga.
Kane, 32, sat out the win over Wales after picking up an ankle injury playing for Bayern Munich, while Watkins was forced off at half-time at Wembley following a collision with the post that left him clutching his knee.
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Thomas Tuchel has opted against bringing in a replacement for England defender Jarell Quansah
|PA
Although neither forward trained with the full group immediately after the match, the fact that Tuchel has opted not to summon reinforcements is being interpreted as an encouraging sign that both could recover in time to feature against Latvia.
England’s coaching staff are said to be managing workloads carefully, particularly given the intensity of club schedules heading into the winter period.
The Three Lions, who top their World Cup qualifying group, will return to training this afternoon following a rest day on Friday.
Tuchel’s side are expected to rotate for the Latvia clash, with opportunities likely for several fringe players as England look to maintain their unbeaten record in the campaign.
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England are sweating on the availability of Ollie Watkins and Harry Kane ahead of Tuesday night's showdown with Latvia
|PA
For Quansah, the withdrawal will feel like a cruel twist in what had promised to be a breakthrough month.
His development at Leverkusen has been one of the most compelling English success stories abroad this season, and Tuchel has privately praised the defender’s composure, ball-playing ability, and maturity beyond his years.
England’s medical team will remain in contact with Leverkusen over his recovery, with hopes that he will be fit to return to domestic action after the international break.
For now, though, Quansah’s wait for his first cap continues.