Alex Scott and Ezri Konsa have been ruled out of England's final Nations League match of the international window, against Czechia at Wembley on Tuesday, and both have returned to their clubs for further assessment.
The Football Association confirmed the double withdrawal on Monday morning. Thomas Tuchel will finish his preparations with a squad of 22 players, two days after the 7-0 win over Croatia in Rijeka.
Scott facing weeks on the sidelines
Scott's injury is the more serious of the two. BBC Sport reports that the 23-year-old Bournemouth midfielder has a quadriceps problem in his thigh and is set to be out for six to eight weeks. Sky Sports News said initial indications point to several weeks out, with further scans planned.
The setback comes at the moment Scott had forced his way into Tuchel's plans. He made his England debut off the bench in the 2-0 win over Czechia in Prague last Tuesday, then impressed on his first start in Rijeka, where he partnered Elliot Anderson in central midfield. According to the BBC, he felt the problem before kick-off but played 70 minutes before being replaced. Tuchel afterwards described him as "the complete package".
A heavy blow for Bournemouth
Bournemouth face a crowded run of fixtures without one of their key players. Marco Rose's side, 17th in the Premier League and still looking for a first league win after five matches, go to Chelsea on Saturday. Europa League home games against Sturm Graz on 15 October and AC Milan on 22 October follow, along with Premier League meetings with Sunderland and Manchester United and a Carabao Cup tie against Aston Villa.
Konsa back to Arsenal
Less has been said about Konsa's problem. Sky Sports News reports that the centre-back, who joined Arsenal from Aston Villa in the summer, had been managing a slight muscle injury during the break that kept him out of training last week. He then played the full 90 minutes against Croatia. He will now be assessed by Arsenal before their home game against Leeds on Saturday.
England have already lost Nico O'Reilly, who returned to Manchester City last week, and called up Rico Lewis from the Under-21s on Sunday. Tuchel's side host Czechia at Wembley on Tuesday at 19:45 UK, looking to build on the rout in Croatia.