Cole Palmer and Declan Rice have joined a growing list of England internationals who have pulled out of the latest Three Lions training camp, bringing the total of withdrawals to five. Alongside Palmer and Rice, full‑back Tino Livramento and Manchester United’s young duo Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford have also stepped away from the squad. In their place, manager Gareth Southgate has called up Morgan Gibbs‑White and James Garner as replacements, hoping the fresh faces can add depth and energy ahead of the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia. Palmer’s situation is particularly noteworthy.
The Chelsea forward was omitted from Tuchel’s World Cup roster earlier this summer, a decision that left many pundits questioning his form and fitness. Since being recalled for the Nations League, Palmer featured for the full ninety minutes in Chelsea’s 2‑1 loss to Brentford, showing that he is eager to prove his worth on the international stage. After announcing the squad for the September and October matches, Southgate emphasized that both Gibbs‑White and Palmer must demonstrate consistency and impact if they are to become regular selections.
"We can see the form Morgan is in and he finished the season strongly, playing a pivotal role in keeping Forest up," Southgate said. "It’s one thing to be named in a squad, but it’s another to deliver the performances that justify the call‑up. Cole needs to put up similar numbers and displays to earn his place and validate his nomination." Palmer, who endured a difficult injury‑laden campaign last season, told Sky Sports that he feels fully recovered as the new season gets underway. "Physically I feel good – probably the best I’ve felt in ages – but I know I can get fitter with more games and minutes," he explained.
He reflected on his past injury record, noting that before a recent groin problem he had rarely missed training or matches. "Before the groin injury I was almost never sidelined. I would often return to the pitch even when I perhaps shouldn’t have," he admitted. The timing of his recovery was complicated by the looming World Cup.
"When the World Cup was approaching, I faced a dilemma: if I didn’t play, I risked missing the tournament; if I played, I risked aggravating the injury," Palmer recalled. He described receiving conflicting advice from various medical staff, which left him uncertain about the best course of action.
"Since coming back, I’ve been working daily to prevent a recurrence. I just want to stay injury‑free and, when I’m on the field, give everything I’ve got," he added. Rice’s case mirrors Palmer’s in some respects. The Arsenal midfielder was a central figure for England during the World Cup, despite playing through a nagging injury throughout the tournament.
Since returning to club duty, Rice has started each of Arsenal’s first five Premier League games this season, indicating that his fitness level is improving. However, concerns remain about his long‑term durability, especially given the intensity of international travel and training camps. Meanwhile, the Manchester United contingent faced its own set of issues.
Both Mainoo and Rashford were listed as doubts before the squad announcement. During United’s 1‑1 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage, Rashford was forced off with a hip problem that the club has been monitoring since the World Cup. He was visibly limping when substituted, raising questions about his readiness for international duty.
Mainoo, who logged 80 minutes against Fulham, was taken off for tactical reasons, according to former United midfielder Michael Carrick. Mainoo, a 24‑year‑old who was part of the World Cup squad but did not see any playing time, was promised a role by Southgate for this break. "I expect him to be on the pitch and it’s my duty to get him on the pitch. That was totally on me.
He didn’t put a foot wrong during the World Cup," Southgate said, acknowledging his responsibility for Mainoo’s lack of minutes. He praised Mainoo’s professionalism, noting that the youngster behaved impeccably in training and that competition for midfield spots was fierce, with players like Reece James and Elliot Anderson also in contention. Southgate also addressed Rice’s injury, emphasizing his personal accountability.
"He got injured before the France game, so we couldn’t give him minutes there, which hurt me. Maybe he was more hurt than me, but it was my responsibility to reward him for his commitment," the manager explained.
Sky Sports News chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol weighed in on the situation, describing Palmer’s withdrawal as a precaution rather than a severe injury. "It doesn’t make sense for Chelsea to have him miss three weeks of international duty if it risks his club season," Solhekol noted. He highlighted Palmer’s history of recurring groin issues, which kept him sidelined for extended periods last season, but also pointed out that Palmer has been in good form this campaign, starting every match and even playing in the Brentford defeat.
Solhekol also suggested that Palmer’s exclusion from the World Cup squad may have been a catalyst for his determination to prove himself. "Tuchel left him out of the World Cup, so he had a point to prove.
He let himself down by not making the squad, but now he has a chance to redeem himself," he wrote. The analyst added that Southgate values long‑term training camps, stating that many of the players selected for the World Cup earned their spots by impressing during the autumn camps. While some critics might view Palmer’s recent omission as a blemish on his record, Solhekol cautioned against over‑reacting. "The next major tournament is still two years away, so there’s plenty of time for Palmer to rebuild his reputation," he concluded.
In summary, England’s squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures has undergone significant changes due to injuries and strategic withdrawals. Palmer, Rice, Livramento, Mainoo and Rashford are out, while Gibbs‑White and Garner have been brought in to fill the gaps. The manager’s comments underline the importance of performance, fitness, and accountability as the team prepares for a challenging set of matches against strong European opponents. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m!
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