England’s preparations for their upcoming friendly against Belgium have been dealt a blow as defenders Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire have been ruled out due to injuries sustained in their recent match against Brazil. The absence of these key players adds to the challenges faced by manager Gareth Southgate as he navigates through a series of setbacks ahead of the important fixture.
Injuries and Absences:
Following their 1-0 loss to Brazil, the England Football Association (FA) announced that Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire would be unavailable for the Belgium friendly due to injuries. The absence of these experienced defenders leaves a significant void in the team’s defensive lineup, posing a challenge for Southgate in finding suitable replacements.
Backup Keeper Out, Replacements Called Up:
In addition to Walker and Maguire, backup goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has also been ruled out of the match at Wembley. To fill the void, manager Gareth Southgate has called up under-21s goalkeeper James Trafford and defender Rico Lewis as replacements. This presents an opportunity for Trafford, who receives his first senior call-up, while Lewis aims to build on his debut performance from November.
Continued Absences:
The absence of Walker and Maguire adds to the list of players unavailable for selection due to injury, including captain Harry Kane and Arsenal forward Buyako Saka. With several key players sidelined, Southgate faces the challenge of fielding a competitive squad against a formidable opponent like Belgium.
Return to Clubs for Assessment:
Following their injuries, Walker, Maguire, and Johnstone have returned to their respective clubs for further assessment and treatment. The FA emphasized the importance of ensuring the players’ well-being and facilitating their recovery process in collaboration with their clubs.
Conclusion:
As England prepares to face Belgium without the services of Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire, the team must regroup and adapt to the absence of key personnel. The call-up of replacements presents an opportunity for emerging talents to make their mark on the international stage, but Southgate will need to devise a cohesive strategy to overcome the challenges posed by the absence of key players.
Subscribe to Follow Global Trends for daily global news. To Advertise, send a mail to advertise@followglobaltrends.com
Credit: Janina Nuno Rios