England have been hit by five withdrawals ahead of their opening UEFA Nations League fixture against Spain at Wembley on Saturday.

Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento have all withdrawn from Thomas Tuchel’s squad because of respective injury issues, the Football Association confirmed.

PUNCH Online on Wednesday reported that the confirmation was also noted on the English FA website late Monday.

The quintet were initially named in Tuchel’s 27-man squad for the extended international window, but their withdrawals have forced the England manager to make changes before the Three Lions begin their campaign.

Here are the five players who will miss the upcoming fixtures:

1. Declan Rice

Arsenal midfielder Rice is one of the most experienced players affected by the withdrawals.

The 27-year-old was part of England’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and was included in Tuchel’s latest selection for the Nations League campaign.

His absence leaves England without one of their key midfield options for the opening fixtures.

2. Cole Palmer

Chelsea forward Palmer was also ruled out after returning to the England squad for the first time since the World Cup.

Tuchel had spoken positively about Palmer’s importance to the team before the latest injury setback.

The England manager said Palmer would need to “step up” when he returned and produce the performances required to retain his place.

3. Marcus Rashford

Rashford, who joined Barcelona on loan from Manchester United, is another major absentee.

The forward was part of England’s World Cup squad and had been selected by Tuchel for the new Nations League campaign before withdrawing through injury.

4. Kobbie Mainoo

Manchester United midfielder Mainoo has also pulled out.

Tuchel had specifically praised the 21-year-old after the World Cup, saying: “I expect him to be on the pitch and it’s my duty to get him on the pitch.”

The German added: “He didn’t put a foot wrong during the World Cup.”

Mainoo was unable to feature in England’s World Cup campaign as much as Tuchel had hoped after an injury before the France match.

5. Tino Livramento

Newcastle United defender Livramento completes the five-man list.

He was part of England’s initial squad for the Nations League window but has since been ruled out with an injury.

Livramento also missed part of England’s World Cup campaign after suffering a calf injury in training before being replaced by Trevoh Chalobah.

Two replacements called up

Tuchel has responded to the withdrawals by calling up Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and Everton midfielder James Garner.

The pair were due to report to St George’s Park on Tuesday with the rest of the squad. Garner has two senior caps, while Gibbs-White has six.

England will host Spain at Wembley on Saturday, September 26, in their first match of the 2026-27 Nations League campaign.

The Three Lions will then face Czechia twice, either side of a trip to Croatia, during the extended international window.

Source: punchng.com

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The Super Eagles on Tuesday began preparations for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opener against Madagascar,  with 23 players taking part in their first training session at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, The PUNCH reports.

Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is the last player expected in camp, with the rest of the squad already slugging it out for shirts under the guidance of head coach Eric Chelle and his assistants ahead of Friday’s clash with the Barea.

Chelle named 24 players for Nigeria’s opening qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, with the Super Eagles hosting the Barea in Uyo on Friday before travelling to Bissau for Tuesday’s encounter with the Wild Dogs.

Although the team’s camp officially opened on Monday, most of the players arrived on Tuesday ahead of the evening training session.

The early arrivals included Paris FC forward Moses Simon, Venezia striker Akor Adams, Coventry City forward Taiwo Awoniyi, first-time invitees Isaac James, Moses Usor and George Ilenikhena, as well as Emmanuel Fernandez, Benjamin Fredrick, Arthur Okonkwo and Chibuike Nwaiwu.

Alex Iwobi, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, returning defender Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Tolu Arokodare, Bruno Onyemaechi, Raphael Onyedika and Frank Onyeka were also among those in camp.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali subsequently joined the group before the training session, leaving Okoye as the final expected arrival.

Friday’s fixture marks the beginning of a new AFCON qualifying campaign under Chelle, with Nigeria drawn in Group L alongside Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau.

Because Tanzania are one of the three co-hosts of the 2027 tournament, they are automatically qualified, meaning only the highest-ranked team among the remaining sides in Group L will secure the group’s qualifying ticket.

The Super Eagles will be without Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen for the opening fixtures after he withdrew from the squad to continue his recovery from injury.

Awoniyi was recalled to the team, while Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams and George Ilenikhena provide further options in attack.

Nigeria will be looking to build on their bronze-medal finish at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco as they begin their bid to return to the continental finals in 2027.

After Friday’s clash with Madagascar, Nigeria will travel to Guinea-Bissau for their second Group L fixture on September 29.

Source: punchng.com

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Enyimba chairman and ex-international Nwankwo Kanu has rallied the club’s supporters to remain behind the team amid their difficult start to the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season.

The nine-time NPFL champions are winless in three games so far this season and are rooted to the bottom of the league table amid a leadership crisis rocking them off the field.

His message comes ahead of their fourth game of the season against Sporting Lagos in Aba on Wednesday (today).

Drawing inspiration from a popular jingle by the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, Kanu acknowledged the club’s struggles while urging the fans to continue backing the nine-time NPFL champions as they seek to turn their fortunes around.

“The times have not been most favourable. We understand the weight of the disappointing losses and we are determined to make things right,” Kanu said.

“In the rain, you came out to support us against Inter Lagos. Though it did not go our way, you supported us till the final minute and we do not take that support for granted.

“We implore you to stand with us as we wriggle our way out of this labyrinth.”

Enyimba will be seeking their first win of the season on Wednesday when they host Sporting Lagos, with Kanu believing victory could provide the spark for a turnaround.

“Next for us is a home game against Sporting Lagos on Wednesday as we seek our first win of the season. A win can be a propeller,” he said.

“We are used to victories and we are proud of that culture. Come, cheer us to victory as we kick off a resurgence. We will get it right. Indeed, hard times are not forever, they come and go.”

Sporting Lagos’ visit comes off the back of a rough period for Enyimba, who had their training session disrupted on Monday by the club’s sporting director, Daniel Eke, who stormed the training ground with police officers and arrested some officials.

Eke was allegedly attacked by some men associated with the club on Sunday while he was said to be celebrating their defeat at home to Inter Lagos.

The crisis at the club dates back to last season when Eke was appointed sporting director by officials of the Abia State Government, despite Kanu naming former Nigeria international Uche Okechukwu to the same position.

The tussle also spread to the technical bench when Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu and Commissioner for Sports Nwaobilor Ananaba unveiled Cameroonian coach Emmanuel Deutsch to lead the club, despite Kanu’s appointment of Deji Ayeni.

Ayeni and Okechukwu subsequently stepped aside for Deutsch and Eke, but the power struggle has resurfaced this season.

Kanu and Eke, as well as some members of the Abia State Government cabinet, have been at loggerheads over the leadership of the club since then.

Source: punchng.com

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