England have named an extended squad for their March friendlies but 11 players won't join the squad until after the first game with Harry Kane among those missing
Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka will only join the England squad for the second of their two friendlies
Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka will only join the England squad for the second of their two friendlies
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Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka are among 11 players who will join England camp late - missing their first friendly as they get the luxury of some rest.
The Three Lions boss has named an extended 35-man squad for the games with Uruguay and Japan at the end of March, clearly knowing that almost a third of the squad would be missing for the first part of the international break.
As a result they will join up with their England colleagues after the clash with Uruguay at Wembey with Tuchel stating that the decision is two-pronged. Partly it is motivated by a desire to manage minutes, many of the players missing are regulars for their clubs, whilst they've have also shown what they can do with England in previous camps.
Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers are two more of the attacking players, alongside Kane and Saka, to sit out. Midfielders Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson will also join up with the squad at a later date.
Manchester City's Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa are among the defenders to be handed an extended rest, as will Dan Burn. Crystal Palace shotstopper Dean Henderson, one of five goalkeepers in the squad, will also sit out initially.
Tuchel said: “It's no secret. The players know: it's Dean Henderson, Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Nico O'Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka.
“All of these guys have played 3,500-plus minutes, some of them have 4,000 minutes. More important than the pure number of minutes is that some of these guys have already played more than in all of last season and there is still a lot of football to play. All of these players have contributed in September, October and November — so they have credit with me. We will benefit from giving them a break physically and mentally.”
Thomas Tuchel has allowed a select number of players to miss the first game
Thomas Tuchel has allowed a select number of players to miss the first game(Image: Getty Images)
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Their absences give others the chance to shine, some of whom have earned recalls following years out of the England picture. Dominic Calvert-Lewin's form for Leeds sees him back in and, with Kane absent for the Uruguay clash, he could get a chance to lead the line.
James Garner has landed himself a spot in the squad and with Rice and Anderson, two central midfielders, initially missing the Everton star could get a run out. James Trafford and Jason Steele are both goalkeeping options, although No 1 Jordan Pickford will be present.
Harry Maguire is back in the fold after years away and the Manchester United centre-half could yet get some minutes with some of the first choice defenders absent.