Overview
- England confirmed on Monday that Reece James was ruled out of October fixtures after medical assessments following Chelsea’s win over Liverpool.
- Chelsea’s medical staff conducted initial checks and plan to use the international break to rest and reassess James, with no firm timeline disclosed.
- Nico O’Reilly was promoted from Lee Carsley’s U21s and has joined the senior camp, saying he was “buzzing” after a message and call from Thomas Tuchel.
- O’Reilly has started regularly for Manchester City this season and has been deployed at left-back despite being a midfielder by trade, offering tactical flexibility.
- England face Wales at Wembley on Thursday before a World Cup qualifier in Riga on October 14, and O’Reilly could make his debut in either match.