Reece James Withdraws From England Squad

Reece James has withdrawn from the England squad after sustaining a shin injury during Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Liverpool, and Chelsea’s medical team confirmed he will miss the October internationals. He played the full match—finishing at centre-back—but assessments ruled him out of the friendly with Wales and the World Cup qualifier in Latvia, and the club will use the international break to rest and further assess him. The absence compounds Chelsea’s ongoing defensive injury concerns. Manchester City defender Nico O’Reilly, 20, has been promoted from the Under-21s to receive his first senior England call-up as James’s replacement. O’Reilly, a City academy graduate converted from central midfield to left-back by Pep Guardiola, has started City’s last seven matches, recently signed a five-year contract, and is being praised for his tactical versatility after representing England at youth levels.