Morgan Gibbs-White is set to receive an England recall to replace Cole Palmer, who is withdrawing from the squad due to a minor injury sustained during club football.
The Nottingham Forest midfielder had initially been overlooked when Thomas Tuchel named his squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. However, Tuchel revealed on Friday that Gibbs-White had come close to selection, and the 26-year-old is now poised to join the group as Palmer's replacement.
Palmer, 24, had been brought back into the fold by Tuchel following his controversial omission from England's World Cup squad. Tuchel had previously warned Palmer that he had a "point to prove" and needed "to step up" to "keep his shirt and justify the nomination". The Chelsea forward will now miss the extended international break, during which England will play four matches.
What matches will England play during this international window?
The Three Lions face World Cup winners Spain at Wembley on Saturday, 26 September, followed by away fixtures against the Czech Republic on 29 September and Croatia on 3 October. England will then host the Czech Republic again on 6 October to complete their Nations League commitments.
Palmer's withdrawal comes after he featured for the full 90 minutes in Chelsea's 3-0 defeat at Brentford on Friday. Following a summer break after missing World Cup selection, he has started six of Chelsea's seven matches this season and completed the full match in five of them, contributing four goals and two assists to his club's campaign.
What is Palmer's injury history?
The Chelsea forward has been troubled by a recurring groin injury during the 2025-26 season. Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, now in charge at Manchester City, previously questioned the nature of the recurring issue, suggesting the pattern did not align with typical injury patterns.
Palmer's last appearance for England came in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Japan in March. His withdrawal marks a significant setback after Tuchel's recent decision to reintegrate him into the squad with clear expectations about his performance standards.
Gibbs-White, meanwhile, will bring fresh options to Tuchel's midfield. The Forest player made his most recent England appearance in a 3-0 friendly victory against Wales in October 2025. He has contributed one goal and two assists across Nottingham Forest's five league matches so far this season, demonstrating consistent form at club level that caught Tuchel's attention during squad selection discussions.
Key Facts
- Morgan Gibbs-White will replace Cole Palmer in England's Nations League squad
- Palmer is withdrawing due to a minor injury sustained during Chelsea's match at Brentford
- England will play four Nations League matches between 26 September and 6 October, facing Spain, Czech Republic, and Croatia
- Tuchel had warned Palmer upon his recall that he needed to perform to justify his selection
- Gibbs-White last played for England in October 2025 and has been in good form for Nottingham Forest this season
