England manager Thomas Tuchel has made a controversial decision by leaving out three senior players for Monday's World Cup qualifier against Latvia, while recalling Morgan Gibbs-White to the matchday squad. Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento, and Aaron Ramsdale are all absent from the group, with Gordon ruled out due to injury.
Gibbs-White, who was omitted from the initial 26-man squad, was called up after Cole Palmer's withdrawal. He was not in the matchday 23 for Friday's 2-0 victory over Albania but could now feature against Latvia. Tuchel praised the Nottingham Forest midfielder's reaction to his initial snub, saying: 'Morgan is an amazing character... He deserves a lot of praise because first of all how he took the first disappointment.'
Gordon, who was considered for a start against Latvia, left camp after picking up a hip injury against Albania. Tuchel explained: 'It's just a matter of pain, there's a big bruise around the hip region and he's unable to walk properly.' Livramento was an unused substitute against Albania, while Ramsdale was omitted from the matchday squad. Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah has been brought into the 23.
England secured a 2-0 win over Albania in Tuchel's first game in charge, with goals from Myles Lewis-Skelly and Harry Kane. Defender Ezri Konsa said the team is focused on victory: 'We go into every game, no matter who we're playing, to win... The manager has only worked with us a week now, there's things that he wants us to improve on.'
