Injured quartet join Wharton on sidelines
Tuchel concerned about team’s workload
Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and John Stones have complicated Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup preparations by joining the contingent who have left the squad before England’s friendly against Japan.
Tuchel named an oversized 35-man squad for this month’s camp, with a view to creating competition for places before the final selection for this summer’s finals in Canada, Mexico and the USA is made. Saka and Rice were among a group of 11 players who were allowed to join up late, meaning England played an experimental side when they drew with Uruguay at Wembley on Friday night.
Stones was due to start in central defence against Uruguay, only to pull out with a calf injury. The experienced defender, who has made only 19 appearances for club and country this season, has returned to Manchester City and his exit raises major doubt over whether Tuchel can take him to the World Cup.
