England XI vs Croatia: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Nations League
Thomas Tuchel hit with injury blow, but is still expected to name a strong team
Nico O’Reilly has left the England squad and will play no further part in their two remaining Nations League games this month.
The Manchester City left-back has returned to his club and will not be available for Saturday’s game against Croatia in Rijeka.
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O’Reilly played in last weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Spain but was left out of the squad for Tuesday’s 2-0 win over the Czech Republic due to an injury issue .
On Thursday, it was confirmed by the FA that the 21-year-old had returned to City for tests and would not be available in Rijeka nor next Tuesday for the return leg against the Czechs at Wembley.
His withdrawal — and the decision not to call up a replacement — increases the likelihood of another start at left-back for Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall, who made only his second start for his country in Prague earlier this week.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel will provide a detailed rundown of his players’ fitness and availability for the Croatia game when he previews that match in his press conference at 1:30pm BST on Friday.
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In goal, James Trafford was handed the first two matches of the international break but is now set to be replaced by England’s long-time No1 Jordan Pickford, in accordance with the plan communicated to both goalkeepers before the Spain game by Tuchel.
The England head coach can choose between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jarell Quansah at right-back, and may be minded to give midfielder Elliot Anderson a rest at some point either against Croatia or the Czech Republic after he played 160 minutes not including added time over the first two Nations League matches.
Tuchel may name a stronger team in Rijeka than next Tuesday on the basis of the perceived difficulty of facing Croatia, before resting more key names against the Czech Republic.
Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento dropped out of the squad ahead of the first game against Spain.
England predicted line-up vs Croatia (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Konsa, Branthwaite, Hall; Anderson, Scott; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
Out: O’Reilly, Rice, Palmer, Rashford, Mainoo, Livramento
Time and date: 5pm BST on Saturday 3, October 2026