England manager Thomas Tuchel says he is not angry with the players who have withdrawn from the squad before Tuesday's friendly with Japan.

Noni Madueke, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, John Stones, and Adam Wharton have dropped out since Friday's 1-1 draw with Uruguay.

Additionally, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Fikayo Tomori and Aaron Ramsdale were cut from Tuchel's extended squad.

This is the final England camp before the 30 May deadline for naming World Cup squads.

Tuchel said he was "disappointed, but not with the players - with the fact we want to have everyone in good spirits and health".

He said: "It's the reality of the end of the season and the end of March; the reality of having players in European matches and more than just one competition with all the cups going on."

Tuchel picked an expanded 35-man squad for the Uruguay and Japan games at Wembley.

He split his players into two camps across the fixtures, the first made up primarily of fringe players and the second of more regular players.

"We have players in camp that have already played more minutes than last season, so there is some concern," said Tuchel.

"The players needed and deserved the mental break from football. We could see the energy with which they came back into camp and to reconnect now in the new environment.

"We want them to perform in their clubs, but the reality is it's our last camp before we leave to America, so we want to reconnect to our principles.

"It's disappointing but I'm not upset with the players. I'm not angry.

"I got the feeling that everyone was desperate to come. Some of the injured players even stayed to do their treatment. That shows they want to be around the group.

"No-one left straight away. It's a good spirit and that's how it should be."

The World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico runs from 11 June to 19 July.

England will play friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica in June.

They open their World Cup campaign against Croatia on 17 June and face Ghana on 23 June and Panama on 27 June.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Tags:

Tuchel not upset over England player withdrawals

Suggested for you

More Stories

AIGS Requests Presidency Investigate Free Zones CEO Over Derogatory Remarks About Pentecost Church Chairman

Hollard Ghana Wins Award for Broker Excellence at IBAG Conference

Black Stars squad: Amoako Jr, Beres Owusu, Opoku could play Mexico friendly

Free Zones CEO Dr Mary Awusi apologizes to Church of Pentecost Chairman over galamsey remarks

Four World Cup Final Tickets Sell For Over $2 Million Each

Sun Heat and Health Problems: How We Care for Small Children in Tamale When Sun is Too Hot

Discussion