England are hopeful shock selection Angel Gomes will be fit enough to report for duty on Tuesday amid fitness concerns.
The Lille central midfielder was selected in interim head coach Lee Carsley’s first squad on Thursday, the 24-year-old one of four first time international picks.
Gomes played for the first time since August 17 against Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday after missing three consecutive matches with concussion following an incident in the match against Reims.
But the former Manchester United player lasted just 45 minutes of the game against PSG before being substituted at half-time leading to doubt over whether he can join up with the England senior squad this week.
Gomes, though, is expected to report for duty for the first time as a senior England international on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s UEFA Nations League clash against Ireland and next week’s tie versus Finland.
England are hopeful Lille midfielder Angel Gomes will be fit enough to report for duty
Uncapped Gomes was selected in interim head coach Lee Carsley’s first senior squad
However, Phil Foden is expected to withdraw from the squad through illness in a blow to Carsley.
Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola confirmed on Sunday that his forward was a doubt for the international break and there is now growing resignation that Carsley will be without Foden for the next two fixtures.
The 24-year-old’s anticipated absence is expected to open the door to Cole Palmer being handed a more prominent role in the coming days.
Palmer strengthened his growing reputation as one of the continent’s best emerging attacking players at Euro 2024, despite not starting a single match for England.
But Carsley is understood to be a big admirer of Palmer and, particularly given Foden’s absence, the Chelsea star is set for stronger role in the team.
