Summary

  1. 'Withdrawals won't affect how we play'published at 09:39 Greenwich Mean Time

    England

    Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah of England interact at St Georges Park.Image source, Getty Images

    England interim manager Lee Carsley on how he will approach the fixture with Greece: "All of the games are challenging in terms of getting the team and gameplan right. I think we've done that well, ultimately, and the proof will be there in the game.

    "It's been quite a smooth camp. When you look at a lot of players who are here, we were ready to bring them in quite quickly because I had it in my mind who would come in. It wouldn't affect too much how we will play.

    "Jarrad Branthwaite had a slight issue that he's had in the past and we were never going to take any chances with him. So, he has been replaced by Jarell Quansah."

  2. 'Players who are here are massively proud'published at 09:31 Greenwich Mean Time

    England

    Lee Carsley, Interim Head Coach of England, talks to players during a training session.Image source, Getty Images

    England interim manager Lee Carsley on the new players who have been called up to the squad: "The focus during the camp has been on the players who are here. It's important we make the most of the situation.

    "With the amount of players who have pulled out, it gives other players an opportunity to be here. We are really looking forward to the game.

    "The players who are here fully deserve to be here and are massively proud about being here. They are highly motivated for the game.

    "We are expecting a tough game and we have to win, so our focus has been fully on the match."

  3. 'November has always been challenging'published at 09:24 Greenwich Mean Time

    England

    Lee Carsley, interim manager of England, reacts.Image source, Getty Images

    England interim manager Lee Carsley on captain Harry's Kane's comments regrading the number of player withdrawals: "I think it's his [Harry Kane's] opinion. I can only deal with what's in front of us.

    "November has always been a challenging international window. The amount of players who have pulled out during this window, it's historically been like that. I know the under-21s and under-20s have had a lot of pull-outs as well.

    "It is definitely that time of the season where fatigue and small injuries play a part in it.

    "But it's brilliant for the other players who were on the outside of the squad. Now it's their chance."

  4. Carsley and Gordon coming uppublished at 09:19 Greenwich Mean Time

    Once the England squad had touched down in Athens last night, interim boss Lee Carsley and winger Anthony Gordon went straight into media duties to look ahead to tonight's game Greece.

    The two Nations League fixtures will be Carsley's final matches in charge before Thomas Tuchel takes over in January, so let's see what he had to say first...

  5. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Kane might backtrack on comments'published at 09:14 Greenwich Mean Time

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    Majority of the pull outs were subbed during critical matches for their clubs so clearly injured and yes they may well be fit for next round of Premier League matches but would they have played this week for their clubs? Unlikely. Suspect we’ll see Kane backtrack in next day or two with clarification around his comments. Poor captaincy and playing to which wind was blowing with mainstream media.

    Mark, Londoner in New Zealand

  6. 'David's welfare continues to be of utmost importance' - PGMOLpublished at 09:09 Greenwich Mean Time

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    In response to the new allegations, a PGMOL spokesperson said: "We are aware of the allegations and are taking them very seriously.

    "David Coote remains suspended pending a full investigation.

    "David's welfare continues to be of utmost importance to us and we are committed to providing him with the ongoing necessary support he needs through this period. We are not in a position to comment further at this stage."

    The Sun says images of Coote were sent to a friend on more than one occasion during the tournament.

    The BBC has not independently verified the pictures or the video and has approached Coote for comment.

  7. PGMOL taking new Coote allegations 'very seriously'published at 09:02 Greenwich Mean Time

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    David CooteImage source, Getty Images

    Referees' body PGMOL says it is taking new allegations around Premier League official David Coote "very seriously".

    Coote is suspended from his role pending an investigation into a video which emerged earlier this week, in which the 42-year-old appeared to make disparaging remarks about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

    On Wednesday the Sun newspaper published pictures it says were taken during this summer's European Championship, alleging they appear to show Coote sniffing a white powder through a rolled up US bank note.

    Coote was working at the Euros in his capacity as a match official.

  8. Postpublished at 08:58 Greenwich Mean Time

    Remember to put your name on your messages please, folks. Or maybe we'll come up with some anagrams and you have to guess who the player is. Either way, 'anons' be gone.

  9. get involved

    Get Involved - 'do we really give two hoots about Nations League?'published at 08:53 Greenwich Mean Time

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    Nearly everyone I speak to is like 'not another International break surely!'. The games on the whole are boring and do we really give two hoots about the Nations League?

    Anon

    By the power of the thumbs, let us know how many hoots you give about the Nations League.

  10. Why have England's players withdrawn?published at 08:44 Greenwich Mean Time

    Full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was forced off in the first half of Liverpool's 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.

    Midfielder Declan Rice was a doubt going into Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday with a knock and was subbed off in the 71st minute. He is also playing with a broken toe.

    Bukayo Saka was also a doubt, but the winger did start for Arsenal before limping off late on. He was injured playing for England in the last international break and missed two Arsenal games.

    Chelsea's Cole Palmer played the duration of the match, despite being a doubt before kick-off.

    Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale reportedly fractured his finger during Southampton's 2-0 defeat by Wolves on Saturday.

    Forward Jack Grealish was named in England's squad despite not featuring in any of Manchester City's last seven matches. Guardiola was unhappy with England picking Grealish, saying he had asked Grealish about the situation and the player had told him he wanted to report.

    "Jack has had two or three setbacks in terms of injuries," added Guardiola.

    Jarrad Branthwaite had been nursing a slight knock from Everton's match against West Ham and subsequently returned to his club.

    Reasons for withdrawals from Chelsea defender Levi Colwill and Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden remain unknown, with both men playing 90 minutes at the weekend.

  11. Which players have withdrawn from the England squad?published at 08:38 Greenwich Mean Time

    Cole PalmerImage source, Getty Images

    Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Aaron Ramsdale and Levi Colwill have dropped out.

    Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite was one of the replacement players called up to the squad, until he became the ninth player to withdraw.

    Liverpool's Jarell Quansah is set to be his replacement, having trained with the team for the past three days.

  12. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 08:33 Greenwich Mean Time

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    Isn’t this what captains are supposed to do? Granted it’s a bit of a nothing competition but it’s obvious to all of us that some (not all) of these drop outs were tactical moves, so I think he’s got every right to call it out. He wants the best team to be representing the country and so should we.

    James

  13. Postpublished at 08:28 Greenwich Mean Time

    For those out of the loop. Luke Shaw hasn't played for Manchester United at all this season.

    His last appearance was for England in the Euros final, where he wasn't fully fit.

    Luke ShawImage source, Getty Images
  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 08:24 Greenwich Mean Time

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    Ask Luke Shaw, if turning out for England, while not 100% fit is a good idea!

    Dave

  15. Postpublished at 08:19 Greenwich Mean Time

    Topping your Nations League group, even in League B, is possibly another way of getting to the World Cup, though...

    And it's always good to have a back-up plan if things go wrong.

  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 08:15 Greenwich Mean Time

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    Have to say I’m more on the side of disagreeing with Kane. Most of those (if not all) that have pulled out have been carrying injuries for a while now. Would it not have made sense for Carlsley to have a discussion with these players before making a decision to include them in the squad, only for them to have to withdraw a few days later? Don’t get me wrong, some may have played on it and had it been a club game they’d have found a work around to keep on playing, but these games (particularly in League B where you’re not playing for any silverware at the end of the competition) mean barely anything, particularly given that even if they were to lose both, there’s still a chance for promotion in a play off in March…

    Neil in Notts

  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 08:10 Greenwich Mean Time

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    These international breaks are tiresome, irrelevant, and completely unnecessary. Very few people are interested in international football outside tournaments. Club football is far bigger and better standard too.

    Leroy from Shrewsbury

  18. 'England comes before club' - Kanepublished at 08:05 Greenwich Mean Time

    Harry KaneImage source, Getty Images

    When asked if the desire to play for England has drifted this international break, Harry Kane said: "Yeah, it's a shame this week obviously.

    "I think it's a tough period of the season, maybe that's been taken advantage of a little bit.

    "I don't really like it if I'm totally honest. I think England comes before anything, any club situation."

  19. Postpublished at 08:00 Greenwich Mean Time

    Just joining us? We're be building up to Nations League action this morning.

    And reacting to Harry Kane calling out his team-mates last night.

  20. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 07:58 Greenwich Mean Time

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    Kane is right but a bit harsh to call out players who clearly went off injured. Sure if he had done a Hamstring he wouldn't be there. Pot and Kettle......

    Mark, London