Declan Rice and Cole Palmer lead five England withdrawals ahead of Spain Nations League clash

From the Newshound archive · first published 21 September 2026.

Rice's absence is not injury-related but stems from a neural issue affecting his lower back and hamstring that has dogged him since the turn of the year, limiting his World Cup contribution. Cole Palmer, recalled to the squad just days ago after being left out of the summer World Cup, has reportedly picked up a small muscle injury. James Garner and Morgan Gibbs-White have been drafted in as replacements, with the full squad due to report to St George's Park on Tuesday.

Marcus Rashford picked up a hip issue during Man United's 1-1 draw at Fulham on Sunday, while Kobbie Mainoo was also substituted late in the same game.

Gibbs-White returns to the squad for the first time in almost a year, having scored more Premier League goals in 2026 than any other player.

England face world champions Spain on September 26 in what would have been a World Cup final rematch had Argentina not knocked the Three Lions out in July.