Chelsea forward Cole Palmer has withdrawn from England’s squad due to a muscle injury, with Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White expected to replace him.
Palmer was recalled by manager Thomas Tuchel for England’s upcoming Nations League fixtures after missing the squad for the 2026 World Cup.
The 24-year-old will now miss England’s matches against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia during the international break.
Gibbs-White was left out of Tuchel’s initial squad but is expected to receive a late call-up following Palmer’s withdrawal.
Tuchel had previously praised Gibbs-White’s form and said the midfielder had performed strongly for Nottingham Forest.
“We can see the form Morgan is in, and he ended the season very strongly and was the key player for Forest to not be relegated,” Tuchel said.
Palmer had made a positive start to the new season after an injury-hit 2025-26 campaign, scoring four goals and providing two assists in seven appearances for Chelsea.
He played the full 90 minutes in Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat to Brentford on Friday.
Palmer had previously spoken about feeling physically stronger after recovering from a recurring groin problem.
“Physically I feel good, probably the best I’ve felt in ages,” Palmer said.
Gibbs-White, meanwhile, scored 15 Premier League goals and provided four assists for Nottingham Forest last season.
His most recent England appearance came in a 3-0 friendly victory over Wales in October 2025.
England’s international schedule begins with a Nations League meeting against Spain at Wembley on September 26, followed by fixtures against the Czech Republic and Croatia.
Manchester United duo Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo are also injury doubts after being substituted during their 1-1 draw with Fulham.
