Manchester City have been handed an injury scare ahead of their Premier League clash with Liverpool on Sunday, October 11, after Nico O'Reilly was forced to withdraw from the England squad. The 21-year-old missed the Three Lions' 2-0 victory over Czechia, with Thomas Tuchel previously hopeful that he would recover in time to feature in England's latter two games in the expanded September/October international break.
O'Reilly returns to City for assessment
But O'Reilly has failed to recover in time ahead of the Three Lions' clash with Croatia, and has instead returned to Man City for further assessment after withdrawing from the squad.
Enzo Maresca is already without Phil Foden for his side's trip to Anfield through suspension, while Antoine Semenyo is also a doubt with an ankle injury after withdrawing from the Ghana squad. The Premier League leaders prepare for a hostile atmosphere as they return to club action for the first time since being found guilty of 114 charges for financial breaches.
Ngumoha set for more England minutes
While O'Reilly's availability for the clash is now in doubt, his withdrawal from the England squad will aid Liverpool starlet Rio Ngumoha. The 18-year-old was left out of Tuchel's matchday squad for the Three Lions' opening Nations League game against Spain, before replacing the City star in the 23-man rota against Czechia.
Ngumoha came off the bench in England's 2-0 victory to make his competitive international debut, becoming the Three Lions' third-youngest debutant, excluding friendlies, in the process. With England not calling up a replacement for O'Reilly, leaving Tuchel with 23 available players, Ngumoha is no longer at risk of being left out of the matchday squad for the trip to Croatia or home clash with Czechia.
Nyoni promoted to Under-21s
Elsewhere, Trey Nyoni could be in line to make his England Under-21s debut after being promoted to Lee Carsley's squad. The 19-year-old had featured twice for England U20s during the international break so far, claiming an assist in their 2-1 victory over France in the Euro Elite League.
But after Jobe Bellingham and Lewis Miley withdrew from the Under-21s squad, the Liverpool youngster received the call-up along with Everton midfielder Harrison Armstrong. England U21s are next in action when they host Slovakia in Stoke on Friday, before travelling to Cork to take on the Republic of Ireland next week.
