Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Alex Scott has had to pull out of the England camp with an injury and the development might have some significance now for Everton.
The extended international break is almost over, with club football returning this weekend. England have just one game left to play, which is against Czechia tomorrow night at Wembley.
On Saturday, the Three Lions produced a scintillating performance against Croatia, winning 7-0 in Rijeka.
James Garner managed to get on in the second-half, after being an unused substitute against Czechia. But it’s possible the Everton man could now get considerable involvement for his country.
Alex Scott injury might present James Garner with England chance
It has been widely reported this morning that Alex Scott is now out of the England squad due to injury.
According to David Ornstein, he is out with a quadriceps issue, and potentially faces a two-month absence, which is a big blow for both him and Bournemouth.
This development could now have significance for Everton in that Thomas Tuchel might turn to Garner in the midfield.
Garner has played a combined 32 minutes so far during this international break, and one would suspect he is a prime candidate to come in for Scott, who he replaced directly in the game against Croatia at the weekend.
Out of all the midfielders in the squad at the moment, Garner sits sixth for minutes played in this international break, behind Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Scott and Eberechi Eze.
And of course, that is significant for Everton.
Player Minutes played so far this international break
Elliot Anderson 239
Jude Bellingham 199
Myles Lewis-Skelly 126
Alex Scott 90
Eberechi Eze 65
James Garner 40
Morgan Gibbs-White 27
It would obviously be great to see Garner starting for his country in a competitive game. But Everton officials would be forgiven for hoping Garner’s involvement tomorrow night won’t be too heavy.
One positive though is that Everton’s game this weekend against Hull City is on Sunday, which means an extra day of recovery for Garner.
We will see if Tuchel decides to bring him in. Garner did well when he came on against Croatia, and with the manager having always spoken quite highly of the Toffees maestro, including likening him to Fede Valverde, it would be no surprise to see him in that starting XI against Czechia. Especially as he is fresher than most of the other England midfielders.