After eight players withdrew, Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is one of five players called up to join England’s squad for their upcoming Nations League matches against Greece and Ireland. Interim manager Lee Carsley will lead the team for these final two fixtures—against Greece in Athens on Thursday and Ireland at Wembley on Sunday—before passing the role to Thomas Tuchel in January.
Carsley faces several key absences, with seven of the unavailable players coming from the Premier League’s top four clubs. Among those missing are Trent Alexander-Arnold, Levi Colwill, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, and Aaron Ramsdale from Southampton. Rogers, a 22-year-old attacking midfielder, received his first senior call-up after a strong season with Aston Villa under Unai Emery, scoring three goals and adding three assists.
In addition to Rogers, Jarrod Bowen, Jarrad Branthwaite, Tino Livramento, and James Trafford were also selected, with Livramento and Trafford awaiting their national team debuts. Rice and Saka sustained injuries during Arsenal’s recent 1-1 draw with Chelsea, while Alexander-Arnold picked up a hamstring injury in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa. Although expected to return soon, Alexander-Arnold’s absence remains a challenge. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed surprise over Grealish’s selection, as he has not played since October 20.
After these matches, Carsley will return to his position as England’s Under-21 manager, and a loss in Athens would end England’s chance for automatic promotion to the Nations League’s top division.
