Devastating Harry Maguire news has been confirmed this afternoon by England Coach 😢 This isn’t fair 🙏, Sad news for Ten Hag
Walker’s abrupt exit from England’s clash with Brazil at Wembley Stadium, lasting only 20 minutes before substitution, stirred worries about his fitness.
England’s manager, Gareth Southgate, revealed post-match that Walker would undergo assessment in the coming days. Consequently, Walker has returned to Manchester City for further evaluation.
Similarly, seasoned defender Maguire was pulled out of the game in the 67th minute, compounding England’s injury woes. Despite recently overcoming an injury scare, Maguire was included in the lineup to face Brazil.
His premature departure triggered another round of assessments, leading to his return to Manchester United for evaluation.
With both Walker and Maguire sidelined, alongside Johnstone, Southgate opted to elevate Rico Lewis and James Trafford from the under-21 squad to the senior team.
Lewis, who had previously earned a cap for the senior team, made his debut against North Macedonia in November. Trafford, meanwhile, stands on the brink of his first appearance for the senior squad as England gears up to face Belgium at Wembley Stadium.
Despite facing recent challenges at club level, with a stint on the bench at Burnley, Trafford has consistently performed at underage levels for England over the years.
His inclusion in the senior squad underscores Southgate’s confidence in his abilities and offers Trafford a chance to shine on the international stage.
In addition to the absence of Maguire, Walker, and Johnstone, Southgate must also navigate the unavailability of star forwards Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka, both sidelined due to injury concerns.
This influx of injuries poses a significant hurdle for Southgate as he readies his squad for upcoming matches, highlighting the importance of depth and adaptability within the team.
