Manchester City centre-back Marc Guehi has withdrawn from the England squad on the opening day of the international break after suffering a hip injury. The 26-year-old defender will remain in Manchester to undergo treatment rather than joining up with his national teammates for their upcoming UEFA Nations League encounters against Croatia and Spain. In his place, Newcastle United defender Dan Burn has been called up by England head coach Thomas Tuchel. Burn, who holds 11 senior caps, has already arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur training ground to join up with the rest of the Three Lions group.
The injury concern flared up during Manchester City's 3-1 Premier League defeat away to Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening. Guehi started the match but was substituted at half-time after suffering discomfort related to an ongoing hip complaint that has troubled him in recent weeks. Following the final whistle, City manager Enzo Maresca confirmed that Guehi himself had requested to be taken off due to the issue. Subsequent medical scans revealed damage sufficient to rule the defender out of international competition for the remainder of the month.
Guehi's withdrawal imposes an immediate defensive reshuffle on Thomas Tuchel as England navigate the conclusion of their UEFA Nations League campaign. The former Crystal Palace captain, who moved to Manchester City in January, has developed into a central pillar of the national team's backline. He served as a core starter during the 2026 FIFA World Cup this past summer, featuring in all but one of England's matches. That consistent form carried directly into the autumn, with Guehi starting all four of England’s Nations League fixtures across September and October.
Dan Burn's inclusion provides immediate cover and senior presence as England prepare for two crucial international fixtures. The Three Lions wrap up their Nations League schedule against Croatia on November 12th before facing Spain on November 15th. However, Guehi's withdrawal could mark the first of several adjustments to Tuchel's squad in the coming days. England's medical staff are currently evaluating potential overload and injury concerns surrounding both midfielder Declan Rice and striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, raising the prospect of further roster changes before matches get underway.
