England squad news as Thomas Tuchel set for Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer injury blows

Thomas Tuchel has a lot to ponder as he prepares to select his first England squad since the challenging double-header in June.

The journey towards next summer's World Cup continues with a home qualifier against Andorra at Villa Park on September 6th, before they travel to Belgrade for a crucial match against Serbia three days later.

England are currently leading Group K after Tuchel led the team to two victories at Wembley in March and a win against 173rd-ranked Andorra in Barcelona in June, in a lacklustre 1-0 triumph that was met with boos from the crowd.

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Just three days later, the honeymoon period abruptly ended at the City Ground, where the team suffered a disappointing 3-1 friendly defeat to Senegal – marking the national team's first ever loss to an African side.

These performances have given Tuchel much to consider a year ahead of the World Cup, and he will face the media at a Wembley hotel at 2pm on Friday afternoon after announcing his first squad of the season.

Jude Bellingham is expected to be absent after the Real Madrid star underwent shoulder surgery following the Club World Cup, while Chelsea defender Levi Colwill is out due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Cole Palmer missed Chelsea's match at West Ham after suffering a groin issue during the warm-up, while Bukayo Saka looks likely to be sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained in Arsenal's victory over Leeds.

Arsenal's Ben White also missed that game due to an injury, which could mean his absence stretching back to the 2022 World Cup may continue.

James Maddison's chances of an England comeback have been dashed by an ACL injury, but there are plenty of others hoping to earn their first call-up from Tuchel.

The England manager is a big admirer of Jack Grealish and may be tempted to include him following his promising start at Everton on loan, while John Stones is back in fitness having last played for England in October.

Members of England's victorious Under-21 Euros squad such as Elliot Anderson, Harvey Elliott and Tino Livramento are on Tuchel's list, along with other talented players like Adam Wharton and Liam Delap.

Marcus Rashford, Marc Guehi, Ollie Watkins and Phil Foden are all vying for a spot after missing out in June, as are Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount, who won the Champions League under Tuchel at Chelsea.

Tuchel has a decision to make about Kyle Walker, who had a difficult game against Senegal and has since moved to newly-promoted Burnley.

Jordan Henderson, another player aged 35, has also switched clubs since the doubleheader in June, returning to the Premier League with Brentford.

Ivan Toney was the unexpected pick in June, but the Al-Ahli forward only got a few minutes on the pitch against Senegal and it seems unlikely he'll get another call-up.