Palmer, Rice among five ruled out of England games

LONDON (AP):

Cole Palmer was among five players to withdraw from the England squad yesterday because of injuries, denying the Chelsea playmaker another opportunity to prove his worth to coach Thomas Tuchel after his World Cup snub.

Marcus Rashford, Declan Rice, Tino Livramento and Kobbie Mainoo were also ruled out of upcoming Nations League matches against world champions Spain, Croatia and the Czech Republic (twice) because of unspecified injury issues, the national team said.

England has called up only two replacements: Everton midfielder James Garner and Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White.

Last week, Tuchel said Palmer would have “a point to prove” following his recall after being a high-profile absentee from the England squad that reached the World Cup semi-finals before losing to Argentina.

Palmer played the full match in Chelsea’s most recent outing, a 3-0 loss to Brentford on Friday.