Nico O’Reilly don been ruled out of England Nations League match against Czech Republic on Tuesday night, but Ezri Konsa still dey set to be in squad. The pair na only two members of England squad wey miss training on Monday morning, as players follow their own individual programmes.
Both play full 90 minutes in England 3-2 loss to Spain on Saturday but O’Reilly go miss trip to Prague. Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha, wey miss matchday squad for defeat by Spain, don dey called up as O’Reilly replacement.
O’Reilly absence fit give Newcastle United Lewis Hall chance to stake claim for starting spot at left-back. Na O’Reilly mistake lead to Alex Baena drawing Spain level at 2-2 at Wembley before World Cup winners go on claim victory.
Arsenal centre-back Konsa don become one of Tuchel most trusted players and start seven of eight matches at World Cup. Central defender Jarrad Branthwaite come on for Marc Guehi late on against Spain and fit be contender to start if Konsa no available.
England play four matches in this international window and, after loss to Spain, take on Czech Republic both home and away, either side of travelling to Rijeka to play Croatia. Before loss to Spain at Wembley on Saturday, plenty debate about England style of play and identity. Barcelona forward Anthony Gordon talk say Three Lions suppose play more traditional way, while Tuchel talk say e fit start to ’embrace the chaos’.
England come from behind to lead Spain 2-1, with Harry Kane then missing penalty before world champions score twice to win match 3-2. ‘I think we showed our style, and showed our courage and identity – they showed it throughout the 90 minutes,’ Tuchel talk. ‘I think we were a valid part of a very good football match overall, over 90 minutes both teams showed our quality. We caused ourselves some problems with individual mistakes. It should not happen, but it happened. But I think we played our way, and we encouraged the players to play their way, and the way they want to play.’
The matches England dey play in Nations League come in new format of international break wey go bring team together for three weeks. And Tuchel, wey get to prepare players for four games in 11 days, talk say e find having matches in short period difficult. ‘I find this format now even more challenging than any other format, I have to say, a lot of travelling and playing twice within only two days of rest in between and then flying and a change of pitches,’ e add. ‘I think the change of training in itself, the change of training style, the change of style of play, sometimes the change of position for a player between national team and club brings its own risks for injury, and I think this format is my feeling at the moment, it increases it more than decreases.’
Czechia host England at Fortuna Arena on Tuesday. Na second round of Nations League Group A3 matches, with both sides lose opening fixtures at weekend. Czechia go down 2-1 to Croatia in Prague. Luka Modrić open scoring for 47th minute with thunderous strike. Adam Karabec level seven minutes later. Marco Pašalić then head winner for 77 minutes from Ivan Perišić cross. The defeat end 19-match unbeaten run on home soil. E also spoil Santi Denia first game as coach.
England lose 3-2 to world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday. Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane put Three Lions 2-1 up before interval. However, defensive lapses cost England dear. Álex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal complete turnaround. Kane also fail to convert second-half penalty. The last time England visit Prague, dem lose 2-1 in October 2019, with Czechs winning Euro 2020 qualifier.
James Trafford go once again start in goal when England visit Czechs, before Jordan Pickford come back into team for final two matches of this international break. Real Madrid Trent Alexander-Arnold get nod to take Jarrel Quansah place. At left-back, Lewis Hall come in to replace O’Reilly.
It no easy period for England boss Thomas Tuchel. After bitter disappointment of losing World Cup semi-final to Argentina, dem romp to victory over France in third-place play-off. Dem then entertain eventual World Cup winners Spain to open their 2026/27 Nations League campaign. That context matter when putting recent performances under microscope. Dem don ship 9 goals in those 3 matches, so defence remain work in progress under Tuchel. Spain score past him inside 2 minutes on Saturday. Czechia score at home against Croatia. England enjoy recent trips away from Wembley. Prior to 2026 World Cup, dem win 6 of last 7 away games by at least 2-goal margin. That na seriously impressive return for side still building under Tuchel. Czechia dey reel from losing proud unbeaten home run dating back to June 2022. Croatia late winner na bitter blow to Santi Denia, who see him team lose their 4-year-long record in him first game at helm. Morgan Rogers start life at Chelsea in electric fashion, scoring 3 goals in 5 appearances for Blues. E also get 1 assist to him name, resulting in 80% goal contribution strike rate so far in 2026/27 EPL. Underlying data look strong too, having taken 15 shots and registered 1.71 xG.
