England has received a setback before his next games, striker Ollie Watkins withdrawing from the team due to an injury.
The Aston Villa striker, who played a central role in the England race at the semi-finals of Euro 2024, joined the team of Thomas Tuchel for their training camp in Spain.
However, the football association has confirmed that Watkins will not play any role in the international break of June, as a precaution on a minor problem.
“Ollie Watkins will not play any role in the next games of England against Andorra and Senegal,” FA said in a statement.
“The Aston Villa striker withdrew from the team as a precaution due to a minor injury. A team of 25 men will now continue preparations for the qualifier of the FIFA World Cup on Saturday 2026 at the RCDE stadium in Barcelona. ”
The shock of Saturday with Andorra marks the third qualifier of group K in England as they seek to maintain a perfect start on the road to the 2026 World Cup. The three Lions opened the campaign with victories on Albania and Latvia in Wembley in March and are great favorites to continue this race against the 164th part of the world.
Ollie Watkins withdrew from #Threelions Precautionary camp due to a minor injury.
– England (@england) June 6, 2025
Despite the Gulf of Quality between the two parties, head coach Thomas Tuchel called for the patience and concentration of his players, stressing the importance of energy and discipline against what is likely to be a deep defense and defense.
Speaking before the match, Tuchel said: “This is not the simplest moment in the calendar of an international break.
“Players come out of short vacation, they come from a long and demanding season. It is important not to expect too much, too early.
Tuchel also addressed the comparisons established between the next England match and the fascinating semi-final of the League of Nations on Thursday between Spain and France, where the champions of Euro 2024 won a 5-4 dramatic victory.
“It is not fair to expect this kind of match on Saturday evening,” added Tuchel.
“Spain against France was one of the highest levels of football in Europe at the moment, offensively brilliant, a real spectacle. It is not the same context as our qualification of the World Cup against Andorra. ”
After facing the Andorra in Barcelona, England will return home to welcome Senegal in a friendly match on the city of the city of Nottingham Forest on Tuesday. The match will offer Tuchel the opportunity to experiment with his team and take a momentum before the September internationals.
