Nico O’Reilly leaves England squad before Croatia and Czechia games

Nico O’Reilly has withdrawn from England’s squad on Thursday, 1 October, and returned to Manchester City for further assessment, leaving Thomas Tuchel without the defender for Saturday’s Nations League trip to Croatia in Rijeka and Tuesday’s home game against Czechia. England says it does not plan to call up a replacement. BBC Sport reported that the withdrawal was because of injury.

The Football Association said O’Reilly had sat out England’s 2-0 win over Czechia in Prague on Tuesday before returning to his club. Its squad update gave no diagnosis or timetable for his return. Further assessment at City is the only next step it has announced for the player.

Who could play at left-back against Croatia?

Lewis Hall played at left-back in Prague after O’Reilly missed that match. The Newcastle United defender was already part of the squad named for this international window, so England has an option who has played the position in its most recent game. The FA has not announced its starting side for Croatia, and Hall’s appearance against Czechia does not establish that he will start in Rijeka.

The Guardian reported from Prague that O’Reilly and Ezri Konsa had minor injuries when Tuchel changed his defence for the Czechia match. Hall joined Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Guéhi and Trent Alexander-Arnold in a back four that, according to the report, had not played together before. The account described Hall advancing along the left as England took control after half-time.

How O’Reilly’s withdrawal changes the squad

O’Reilly was named as a Manchester City defender in Tuchel’s original 27-man group for four matches between 21 September and 6 October. England began the window at Wembley against Spain, travelled to Prague to face Czechia, and still has the games in Rijeka and at Wembley to play. His withdrawal comes halfway through that schedule, with no further senior call-up planned, according to the FA.

The defender played the full game in England’s 3-2 defeat by Spain, BBC Sport reported. He then missed the victory in Prague. The FA’s Thursday update confirms that he will take no part in either of the remaining matches, rather than merely sitting out another game while staying with the England camp.

England’s Prague win followed a difficult start. The Guardian reported that Czechia were the better side before Pavel Sulc was sent off in the first half following a review of his challenge on Elliot Anderson. Sky Sports reported that Gordon scored in the 47th minute from an Alexander-Arnold cross and Harry Kane added England’s second in the 69th. Hall played throughout the change in momentum on England’s left.

The result was England’s first clean sheet in seven matches, according to the Guardian, which said the team had conceded 13 goals across the previous six. That defensive context makes the loss of another squad member relevant before the Croatia trip, although the available reports do not establish how Tuchel will arrange his back line there.

What remains unknown before the final two games

The FA has not identified the injury that prompted O’Reilly’s return to Manchester City. Its statement gives no assessment outcome, recovery date or indication of whether he will miss club matches. BBC Sport likewise described the return as being for further assessment. A more precise account of his condition must wait for information from the club or England.

England’s immediate plan is clearer: the FA says no further replacements are planned as the side prepares for Croatia on Saturday and Czechia at Wembley on Tuesday. Hall’s appearance in Prague identifies an available left-back option, but the choice for either remaining match has yet to be confirmed.