England XI vs Greece: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Nations League

Lee Carsley’s final squad as interim England manager has been decimated by injury, with eight players dropping out on Monday.

The Three Lions head to Athens on Thursday knowing that a repeat of last month’s shock defeat by Greece will see them fail to return to Nations League A automatically and instead head into a play-off in March.

The Football Association (FA) confirmed on Monday night that Bukayo Saka, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Levi Colwill, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Cole Palmer, Aaron Ramsdale and Declan Rice would all return to their clubs for medical assessment and play no part either against Greece or on Sunday against the Republic of Ireland.

In their place, Jarrod Bowen, Jarrad Branthwaite, Tino Livramento and James Trafford were all added to the squad, along with first-time call-up Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa.

Carsley will be aware of Greece’s threat after they beat his side 2-1 at Wembley last month. While the squad he is left with is one of England’s weakest in years, he is likely to name a stronger and less experimental lineup in Athens than at home three days later.

Branthwaite has pulled out of the squad too, with Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah stepping in to replace him.

Predicted England XI to face Greece (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Guehi, Konsa, Lewis; Gomes, Gallagher; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane

Injured: Saka, Alexander-Arnold, Colwill, Foden, Grealish, Palmer, Ramsdale, Rice, Branthwaite

Time and date: 7:45pm GMT on Thursday November 14, 2024

Venue: Olympic Stadium, Athens

How to watch: ITV