Marcus Rashford has given England a World Cup injury headache.
And that could open the door for Brentford striker Ivan Toney to get a last minute audition in the Nations League squad to face Italy and Germany. England star Rashford, who was left out of Gareth Southgate’s last two squads, has not travelled to Manchester United ’s Europa League tie with Moldova minnows Sheriff.
Rashford picked up a muscle injury in United’s win over Arsenal when he scored twice and underlined his return to form which looked certain to get him an England recall. This comes as a major blow because England boss Southgate is set to name his last squad ahead of the World Cup on Thursday and players are running out of time to nail down places for Qatar.
Southgate will take medical advice before naming his 26 man-plus squad on Thursday and Rashford may yet be asked to report up especially with so many other injury pull-outs. United boss Erik ten Hag, however, insists that Rashford has shown enough this season to earn a place in the World Cup squad.
Ten Hag said: “It's quite obvious and quite clear [that Rashford is good enough to be in the England squad]. I think in this season he's showing his great potential and quality.”
But the doubts over Rashford is a potential opening for Toney who has yet to be capped but has impressed the England scouring staff with his recent displays, including a hat trick against Leeds. Toney is also a penalty expert and his Brentford boss Thomas Frank has backed him to get an England call on that alone.
England are concerned about a lack of options in attack and proper back-up for Harry Kane with Roma’s Tammy Abraham the obvious competition while Rashford plus Raheem Sterling are both adaptable enough to play wide and centrally.
Southgate has to name his 55 man long list to FIFA on October 21 and will name his final 26 man party on either November 9/10. England are facing major injury issues for the final two Nations League games which are the last two games before Qatar and this is also the last get together.
Jordan Pickford, Jordan Henderson, Luke Shaw and Kyle Walker are all doubts and that may ensure any doubts over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s form do not mean he missed out.
