Marc Guehi's Injury Update After Leaving England Squad
Marc Guehi has decided to step back from the England national team as they prepare for their final 2026 World Cup qualifier against Albania. The centre-back suffered a painful ankle injury during Crystal Palace’s Conference League victory over AZ Alkmaar, which left him relying on crutches for mobility. This injury caused him to miss the recent goalless draw against Brighton in the Premier League, and it was expected that he would not be part of the England squad for the November international break.
Despite this, Guehi initially remained with the Three Lions, as manager Thomas Tuchel wanted to keep hold of the Palace captain, who is a vital presence in the England dressing room. However, after missing Thursday’s 2-0 win over Serbia, it became clear that Guehi would not be able to play in the upcoming match against Albania.
A statement released on Friday confirmed that Guehi has left the England camp and will not travel to Tirana for the crucial qualifier. It said:
“Marc Guehi has joined up with the Three Lions at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground earlier this week but has returned to his club to continue his rehabilitation.”
Tuchel will now prepare for the trip to Albania with a squad of 24 players. While no further details about Guehi’s fitness have been disclosed, it was reported that he is no longer on crutches but has been unable to take part in training sessions. This development is likely to be a blow for Crystal Palace, especially with a demanding winter schedule set to begin on November 22 against Wolves.
Guehi plays a pivotal role in Oliver Glasner’s team, as Crystal Palace currently boasts one of the best defenses in the Premier League, second only to Arsenal and Manchester City. Glasner is expected to provide an update ahead of the Wolves game, but prior to the match against Serbia, Tuchel commented on Guehi’s injury:
“Very painful, but there is no damage done. No structural damage. It’s all about the pain. If he is not in training on Friday and not able to train with us on Saturday, we will not make him travel with us, then he can rest and get treatment in London. It’s nice that he also wants to stay with us. We wanted him to stay close. He’s one of the leaders, an important member of the team. He’s an important glue for many players. It’s nice to see that he tries everything to be included in the second match.”
With Guehi out, Tuchel has turned to John Stones and Ezri Konsa for the central defensive role. Trevoh Chalobah and Jarell Quansah are also available options for the manager as he prepares for the crucial match against Albania.
As the Three Lions look to secure their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the absence of Guehi will be a challenge. His leadership and experience are invaluable, and his injury adds another layer of complexity to the squad selection process.
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