England Defender Ruled Out of Crucial Qualifiers
Crystal Palace and England have been dealt a significant blow as defender Marc Guehi is expected to miss the upcoming international fixtures. The centre-back sustained a foot injury during Palace's European victory that will keep him sidelined.
Details of the Injury
The problem occurred during Crystal Palace's 3-1 win against AZ Alkmaar in the Conference League. Palace manager Oliver Glasner provided a concerning update, revealing that Guehi had suffered a heavy bone bruise and was in such significant pain that he "can't even walk" and requires crutches for mobility.
Fortunately, further assessment confirmed that no bones were broken in the incident. The injury timeline suggests Guehi could return to training within 10 to 14 days, but this recovery window means he will miss England's final World Cup qualifying matches.
Impact on England Squad
Guehi had been initially selected for Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the November international break. His withdrawal means he will not feature in the crucial matches against Serbia and Albania.
The timing is particularly frustrating for both player and manager, though England have the consolation of having already qualified for the World Cup. This provides some breathing space for Tuchel to test other defensive options without the pressure of must-win qualification matches.
For Crystal Palace, the focus will be on ensuring their captain makes a full recovery before returning to Premier League action, with the club likely to manage his rehabilitation carefully over the coming fortnight.
