Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice among eight players to withdraw from England squad

Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are among eight players to pull out of England’s squad for their upcoming Nations League fixtures.

Both were withdrawn in the latter stages of the Gunners’ 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday. Rice was playing with a broken toe, while Saka departed after suffering a blow to his leg.

Cole Palmer, who only trained twice in the week after picking up a knock against Manchester United last weekend, played the full 90 on Sunday but has now withdrawn from international duty.

Levi Colwill, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Aaron Ramsdale are also unavailable.

Alexander-Arnold, who had to be subbed off after just 25 minutes against Aston Villa, is expected to be sidelined for two weeks after picking up a hamstring strain.

Grealish has missed Manchester City’s last six games and has been released from England duty along with teammate Foden following an assessment at St. George’s Park.

In their place, Lee Carsley has handed a first senior call-up to Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers who has impressed under Unai Emery since joining from Middlesborough last January.

Jarrod Bowen and Jarrad Branthwaite also return to the Three Lions set-up, as do Tino Livramento and James Trafford who are both yet to receive a senior cap.

England travel to Athens to face Greece on Thursday before hosting the Republic of Ireland at Wembley on Sunday.

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