England's World Cup preparations have been dealt a major blow after Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and John Stones withdrew from the squad ahead of Tuesday's friendly against Japan. The quartet joined a growing list of absentees, complicating Thomas Tuchel's plans to finalise his 26-man squad for this summer's finals in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
Tuchel had named an oversized 35-man squad for the camp, with 11 players allowed to report late after a taxing season. However, injuries have forced several key players out. Stones, who was due to start against Uruguay on Friday, pulled out with a calf injury and has returned to Manchester City, casting doubt on his World Cup place. Madueke limped off during the first half of the 0-0 draw with Uruguay and left Wembley with his left leg in a brace, while Rice and Saka have returned to Arsenal for assessment on minor problems.
The withdrawals mean Tuchel will be without two of his most important players for the Japan friendly. Rice is an automatic pick in midfield and Saka is first choice on the right wing. The German had hoped to use the match to finalise his plans, but the fitness issues have left few pointers about his summer selection.
Other players to leave the camp include Dean Henderson, Dan Burn, Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, Nico O'Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane, who all reported late. Aaron Ramsdale, Fikayo Tomori and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have also been sent home. Tuchel's experiment of creating competition for places has not gone to plan, with only a handful of players now vying for spots in the final squad.
The draw against Uruguay was a bruising encounter, with several individuals failing to impress. Phil Foden struggled as a No 10 and was forced off after a tackle, though he is not expected to withdraw. Harry Maguire and Ben White have kept their places, while Dominic Solanke and Calvert-Lewin were ineffective in their auditions as Harry Kane's deputy. Tuchel has also indicated he may use FIFA's mid-half water breaks to deliver tactical instructions at the World Cup.
