Ezri Konsa is in contention to return to the England starting XI after completing a full training session ahead of Saturday’s Nations League meeting with Croatia.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel confirmed that the Arsenal defender trained normally on Friday, providing a positive update after Konsa missed England’s 2-0 victory over Czechia earlier in the week.
Konsa had been an unused substitute against Czechia after experiencing a minor fitness issue following England’s 3-2 defeat by Spain. He had started that match and played the full 90 minutes.
Tuchel said Konsa’s return to full training gives England “a lot of hope” ahead of the Croatia fixture. The defender is now expected to be available for the match in Rijeka.
The update comes as England manage several defensive changes during the current international window. Manchester City defender Nico O’Reilly has withdrawn from the squad and returned to his club for further assessment.
Konsa was included in Tuchel’s original 27-man squad for the September and October Nations League fixtures. England’s schedule includes matches against Spain, Czechia and Croatia before another meeting with Czechia at Wembley.
The Arsenal centre-back’s availability gives Tuchel another option as he considers his defensive line for the trip to Croatia. The England manager has also indicated that the final team selection will be kept under wraps until matchday.
England will face Croatia in Rijeka on Saturday, with the Three Lions continuing their Nations League campaign after the opening fixtures of the international window.