England have suffered a double injury blow a day before their crunch Nations League clash away to rivals Croatia.
Tottenham left-back Danny Rose and Southampton Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy have both been forced to pull out of Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad.
Both players have suffered minor injuries and will therefore not be risked at the empty Stadion HNK Rijeka on Friday, meaning they’ve each been withdrawn and gone back to their respective clubs to receive further treatment.
England still have three other goalkeepers to choose from but Rose’s exit, which came after Luke Shaw was forced to leave, means that Leicester's Ben Chilwell is currently the only left-back in the squad.
This could well leave the door open to Fulham’s teenage sensation Ryan Sessegnon, should Southgate decide that he needs a late back-up in this particular area.
The 18-year-old enjoyed a stunning 2017/18 season with the Cottagers, playing a key role in their promotion up to the Premier League, having started 45 of the club’s 46 games.
The Championship player of the year was then the subject of immense debate in the summer but he remained at Fulham, after penning a five-year deal.
The current season will no doubt be a learning curve for Sessegnon who can be employed at either left back or left wing, and while he’s yet to set the top-flight alight this term, a first ever call-up to England’s senior team would do his confidence the world of good.
It’s unknown whether Southgate will make any last-gasp decisions ahead of the rapidly approaching Croatia fixture, but Sessegnon could find himself in the squad ahead of Monday’s trip to Spain.
