Tuchel Cuts Three From England Squad for Spain Clash

Thomas Tuchel has dropped James Garner, Jarrad Branthwaite and Josh King from England's squad for Sunday night's Nations League game against Spain in Madrid.

England flew out with 26 players, but UEFA rules allow only 23 to be named in a matchday squad for Nations League games. Three had to go, and those three were Garner, Branthwaite and King. BBC Sport reports the decision.

Garner's name will catch the eye. He came on for Declan Rice in the 77th minute of England's 2-1 win over Croatia at Wembley on Thursday, and he scored a goal in that game that was later disallowed. Branthwaite and Fulham's King were unused substitutes that night. King, 19, had only just earned his first senior England call-up, for the final two Nations League fixtures in Group A3.

Jobe Bellingham and James Hill are in the reduced squad, as is Ben White. Ezri Konsa and Djed Spence missed the Croatia win but have returned to fitness. James Trafford will replace Jordan Pickford in goal.

The group table is tight at the top. Spain are three points ahead of England, but England have the better goal difference, which is the number of goals scored minus the number conceded. England have already secured a place in the Nations League quarter-finals, so Sunday's result will decide who tops the group rather than who goes through.

For the players left behind, the news is a reminder of how fine the margins are in an international squad. A place in the 23 is the difference between sitting in the stand and being on the bench. Tuchel's side now has a chance to show what it can do in Madrid, with the group standing on the line.