England manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Inter defender Djed Spence will miss the upcoming Nations League fixture against Croatia. However, Spence is expected to be available for England’s subsequent match against Spain.
Tuchel also stated that Ezri Konsa will not feature in the game against Croatia. Both players are anticipated to return to full training by Saturday, making them potential options for the trip to Spain. While he is expected to be available for the Spain trip, it is considered unlikely he will be in the starting XI.
Spence’s Recent Form and Club Journey
Spence, 26, has recently started to find his rhythm at club level. He has played the full 90 minutes in three consecutive matches for Inter, providing two assists in those fixtures. This follows a period where he struggled for fitness after his transfer from Tottenham Hotspur to Inter on August 15.
He made his debut for the Italian club on October 10 in a Serie A victory over Parma. Spence was a key figure in England’s World Cup campaign over the summer, where the team reached the semi-finals and secured a third-place finish.
Nations League Context
England are currently in Nations League Group 3, sitting in second place behind Spain. The team has won three matches since an opening 3-2 home defeat to the World Cup winners. They are set to host Luka Modric’s Croatia on Thursday evening before concluding their group stage fixtures with a head-to-head encounter in Spain on Sunday.