Foden, Palmer, Watkins Out of England's Nations League Games

Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Ollie Watkins have been ruled out of England's upcoming Nations League matches, the English Football Association (FA) announced on Tuesday. This will be England's first set of games under interim manager Lee Carsley.

England will play against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Saturday and will host Finland at Wembley three days later in League B.

Palmer, a Chelsea player who scored in England's Euro 2024 final loss to Spain, and Aston Villa striker Watkins have returned to their clubs due to injuries. Manchester City forward Foden did not join Carsley's squad due to illness.

The FA stated, "No further additions are planned at this moment in time."

The match against Ireland will mark England's first game since Gareth Southgate's eight-year tenure as manager concluded. Carsley is temporarily in charge and has called up Noni Madueke, Morgan Gibbs-White, Tino Livramento, and Angel Gomes for their first appearances.