England hit by triple injury blow for Nations League as Lee Carsley faces centre-back shortage

Ezri Konsa and Morgan Gibbs-White came off with injuries and may force England to call up replacements

Lee Carsley has been dealt a triple injury blow as Kobbie Mainoo, Ezri Konsa and Morgan Gibbs-White have pulled out of the England squad to face Greece and Finland in the Uefa Nations League.
However, captain Harry Kane has been given the all clear to play despite coming off in the 72nd minute of Bayern Munich’s 3-3 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt, moments after requiring treatment on his right thigh following a clash with Brazilian defender Tuta.
Kane travelled directly to St George’s Park and, after being examined by Football Association doctors, the 31-year-old striker is in line to play against Greece on Thursday and Finland on Sunday.
This is the second injury worry Kane has faced in recent weeks after he was a major doubt to take on Aston Villa last Wednesday following an ankle issue in a 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen.
Carsley has opted to not call up any replacements for the injured trio and will only have three centre-backs (John Stones, Levi Colwill and Marc Guehi) to call upon for both matches although Kyle Walker also able to offer cover.
“The trio all sustained injuries for their respective clubs over the weekend and have been ruled out of the Three Lions’ Uefa Nations League fixtures against Greece and Finland,” an FA statement read.
“All other 22 players are at St George’s Park with no further additions planned at this time.”
Nottingham Forest midfielder Gibbs-White sustained an ankle injury in the club’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea last Sunday and scans on Monday revealed he could be out for around two weeks, with Forest hopeful of having him in contention for Forest’s Premier League return against Crystal Palace on October 21.
Gibbs-White, 24, made his Three Lions senior debut in last month’s victory over the Republic of Ireland but will have to wait a little longer before earning his second cap.
The £25 million signing from Wolves was taken off 14 minutes from the end at Stamford Bridge after landing awkwardly when his shot was blocked by Chelsea’s Malo Gusto.
Aston Villa’s Konsa is ruled out because of an apparent hamstring injury sustained early on in the goalless draw with Manchester United. Mainoo played 85 minutes in that fixture  but missed United’s 3-3 Europa League draw against Poro last Thursday because of a suspected hamstring injury.