England

Harry Kane will not be fit to feature for England in their Nations League match against Greece at Wembley while Jack Grealish will also miss out, says interim manager Lee Carsley.

Record England goalscorer and captain Kane went off in Bayern Munich's last game against Eintracht Frankfurt.

"Harry is nursing an injury - a small knock, something we won’t take a chance with," said Carsley, who replaced Gareth Southgate on a temporary basis in August.

Carsley said Grealish "picked up a slight knock" on his return to the England camp after Southgate left the Manchester City forward out of his Euro 2024 squad.

"They will be OK in a couple of days, so we are not going to take any gambles with them," he added.

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England and Manchester City winger Jack Grealish: "RIP George! A great player but more importantly a great guy! Sending all my love to your family and close ones."

BBC Sounds

BBC Sport senior football reporter Ian Dennis on BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's a tragic story. George Baldock, 31 years of age. Many football fans will remember him in his early days when he was at MK Dons but probably more recently for being one of the key figures when Chris Wilder took Sheffield United to the Premier League. His rampaging runs down the right-hand side, as a right-wing back, were an integral part really, in the success of that Sheffield United side. He made over 200 appearances for the club at Bramhall Lane.

"He moved out to Greece because, although he was actually born in England, he was capped 12 times for Greece because of the connections to his grandmother. He made his debut two years ago, it was Gus Poyet who had given him his Greece debut against Northern Ireland. He played as recently as March, in a play-off defeat for the Euros against Georgia. To be found dead at the age of 31 is just tragic and condolences to his family and his friends, and all his team-mates. It is a loss that is being felt by many."

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Sheffield United player Vinicius Souza wrote on Instagram: "Speechless and heartbroken. What a guy. An incredible person and a great friend. Strength and prayers go to your family. Thank you from day one. Rest in peace brother."

Barnet midfielder Zak Brunt, who made two first-team appearances for Sheffield United, wrote on X: "Absolutely gutting hearing the news. An unbelievable guy who helped me when he didn’t have to. The best pro to idolise and a better person. My thoughts and love are with his family. RIP Starman."

Stevenage defender Charlie Goode, who was on loan at Sheffield United in 2022, wrote: "Shocked. Truly heartbreaking. One of the nicest people I’ve met. You’ll be missed, RIP George."

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Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Joie Stadium

Alex Greenwood was Manchester City captain as they beat holders Barcelona 2-0 in their opening group game of this season's Women's Champions League on Wednesday.

Manager Gareth Taylor said that is just the start of City's challenge - but it showed what they are capable of. His side were aggressive and full of intensity as Barca struggled to cope on a cold evening in Manchester.

Asked if the performance was one of the best of his time in charge, Taylor said: "It's right up there, definitely.

"The performance in the first half especially was top. We knew at some point we would have to weather the storm and we did that tremendously well.

"I felt we could have been 3-0 or 4-0 up in the first half due to the opportunities we created and the pressure we put on them."

Lionesses and Manchester City defender Alex Greenwood, whose partner Jack O'Connell played alongside George Baldock at Sheffield United, said: "George we are going to miss you so much. The random FaceTime calls, the endless laughs you gave us. An unbelievable person gone too soon."

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Former Oxford United reporter Dave Pritchard on X: "Still feel numb that we've lost George Baldock. Can't think of a loan player who felt so immediately and completely at home with OUFC, but mostly I'll remember a wonderful, caring person with an infectious smile. Thoughts with his family, give yours an extra squeeze. RIP."

Alex Howell
BBC football news reporter

Image source, PA Media

England's interim head coach Lee Carsley has considered playing Jude Bellingham as a 'false nine' against Greece at Wembley later.

Captain Harry Kane will miss tonight’s match with injury as Carsley has said he will not take a risk with England’s record goalscorer.

Carsley has a dilemma about how he fits in the wealth of attacking talent he has at his disposal, and playing Bellingham in the forward position could allow him to fit in both Cole Palmer and Phil Foden.

That would mean that Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and Tottenham forward Dominic Solanke, who has been called up for the first time in seven years, would start from the bench.

Carsley has made it clear that he focuses on a player's attributes rather than their starting position, and when he led England's Under-21 side to European Championship victory last summer, he played Palmer in a number of positions including centre midfield.

He also used a right-sided defender at left-back and has done the same for the senior side with Rico Lewis taking up that role in the last international break.

Anthony Gordon looks set to play from the left with Jack Grealish missing tonight’s match with injury and Levi Colwill has also been trialled at centre-back alongside John Stones, who will captain England for the first time.

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George Baldock was just 21 when he played the full 90 minutes as MK Dons pulled off a 4-0 win at home to Manchester United to knock the Premier League giants out of the League Cup in August 2014.

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Former Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder Guy Poyet was Greece manager from January 2022 to March 2024 so was the man who gave George Baldock his international debut in June 2022.

Poyet said on X: "Love and condolences to George's family and friends. I am devastated. Rest in peace George."

He will indeed be remembered, David. Was confirmed a little earlier.

Ian Dennis
BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter

Greece are without key player Fotis Ioannidis for tonight against England at Wembley.

Ioanndis, who was a team-mate of George Baldock's at Panathinaikos, came off just before half-time during the goalless draw with Olympiakos on Sunday with a groin injury.

The 24-year-old striker has scored five goals in his last six games for Greece, and has made 13 international appearances overall.

Image source, Reuters

Republic of Ireland

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The X account for the Republic of Ireland's national teams posted: "We’re incredibly saddened by the news of George Baldock’s passing this evening.

"George played against Ireland in the Uefa Euro 2024 qualifying campaign last year - and played with a number of Irish players at club level in his career.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and also with the players and staff at the Greek Football Federation at this sad time."