Cole Palmer and Declan Rice have joined a growing list of England internationals who have pulled out of the latest Three Lions training camp, prompting manager Gareth Southgate to call up Morgan Gibbs-White and James Garner as their replacements. The withdrawals also include defender Tino Livramento and Manchester United’s young duo Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford, meaning the England roster for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia will look markedly different from the squad announced earlier in the month. Palmer, who missed Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad in Qatar, was recalled for the Nations League and featured the full ninety minutes in Chelsea’s 2-1 loss to Brentford. Despite the defeat, his performance demonstrated that he has regained the fitness and confidence that were in doubt after a string of injury setbacks last season.
After the squad announcement for the September and October matches, Tuareg highlighted the work both Gibbs-White and Palmer must do to cement regular places in the national side. "We can see the form Morgan is in and he ended the season very strongly and was the key player for Forest to avoid relegation. We can see him stepping up now," Tuareg said, referring to Gibbs‑White’s impressive campaign with Nottingham Forest. "It’s one thing to be nominated and get back into the squad, but you have to back that up with performances.
Cole needs to produce those numbers and displays to earn his shirt and justify the call‑up." Palmer, who spent much of the previous season nursing a persistent groin problem, told Sky Sports that he feels physically stronger than he has in years. "Physically I feel good, probably the best I’ve felt in ages, but I think I can get fitter with games and more minutes," he explained. He admitted that before the groin issue he was rarely sidelined, often playing through minor knocks. The timing of his injury, however, coincided with the run‑up to the World Cup, leaving him in a dilemma: miss matches and risk exclusion, or play while not fully recovered and jeopardise his performance.
"It was a sticky situation," Palmer recalled. "I was seeing different doctors, getting different opinions about why I was hurting.
Since I’ve come back I’ve been working every day to stop it happening again. I just want to stay injury‑free, and if I’m on the pitch I know what I can do." Rice, meanwhile, was a central figure for England at the World Cup, playing through a niggling injury throughout the tournament.
He has since started each of Arsenal’s first five Premier League fixtures this season, showing that the midfield anchor is still a vital part of the national set‑up. Nevertheless, his decision to withdraw from the camp reflects a cautious approach to managing his workload after a demanding international summer.
The Manchester United contingent also faced uncertainty. Both Mainoo and Rashford were listed as doubts ahead of 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, while Mainoo was substituted after 80 minutes for tactical reasons, according to Michael Carrick. Rashford’s limp after the match suggested the injury was more than a minor niggle, whereas Mainoo, who was part of the World Cup squad but never featured, was promised more playing time by Tuareg. "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," Tuareg said of Mainoo, adding that the young midfielder had shown exemplary behaviour in training and deserved his chance. Tuareg also addressed the broader context of squad selection, noting that the decision to leave Palmer out of the World Cup was controversial but rooted in his assessment of the training camps held last autumn.
He emphasized that the camps are a crucial tool for evaluating players over an extended period, and that the current withdrawals should be viewed in perspective. "It’s a black mark on Palmer’s name, but the next tournament is still two years away," he warned, urging patience and continued development.
Sky Sports chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol weighed in, describing Palmer’s injury situation as manageable but requiring careful oversight. "It doesn’t make sense for Chelsea to let him go on international duty for three weeks if there’s a risk of aggravating his groin," Solhekol noted. He praised Palmer’s recent form, pointing out that the striker has started every game this season and even led the line in the Brentford defeat, showing resilience and a willingness to fight for his place.
In summary, England’s squad heading into the Nations League will feature fresh faces and seasoned veterans alike, with Gibbs‑White and Garner stepping in for the withdrawn players. The coaching staff will need to balance the desire to give opportunities to emerging talent with the practical need to keep key players like Rice and Palmer healthy for the long term.
As the international calendar tightens, managing injuries, fitness levels, and player morale will be essential for maintaining England’s competitive edge on the European stage. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m! Enter for free.