
Chelsea forward's fitness assessed ahead of Croatia and Spain fixtures
England manager Thomas Tuchel is weighing whether to select Chelsea forward Cole Palmer for upcoming games against Croatia and Spain after medical checks, while also considering recalls for Bukayo Saka's replacement, Ben White, Djed Spence, Jordan Henderson, and potential debutants such as Fulham's King and Middlesbrough striker Lankshear.
AI-generated summary
Thomas Tuchel names his England squad on Friday to face Croatia and Spain. Cole Palmer missed all four games during the previous international window with a minor injury but has since played 90 minutes for Chelsea against Brentford and started in the first game afterwards. Bukayo Saka is injured, Marcus Rashford has not played since mid-October, and Trevoh Chalobah is a major injury doubt.
England have made medical checks on Cole Palmer as Thomas Tuchel considers whether to select the Chelsea forward in his next squad.
The 24-year-old missed all four games during the previous international window with a minor injury.
He completed 90 minutes for Chelsea against Brentford before those matches, and started for the Blues in the first game afterwards.
Tuchel, who names his squad to face Croatia and Spain on Friday, said at the time that Palmer was "playing with discomfort and pain" but was "missing too many opportunities" with England.
Whether he is recalled will be a key theme on Friday. While it is normal for England medics to check on players under consideration, it also underlines that Palmer remains on Tuchel's radar despite his stark comments last month.
In addition to deciding whether to select Palmer, head coach Tuchel has a number of other dilemmas to resolve.
Bukayo Saka's injury absence opens the door to another attacker, with his Arsenal team-mate Noni Madueke pushing for a recall following a string of impressive performances.
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has not played since mid-October and is not fit for selection, while Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah is a major injury doubt.
Defenders Ben White and Djed Spence are pushing for recalls after missing out on the previous squad through injury.
The likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and many others are now stonewall selections - but the intrigue is around the remaining few spots still seemingly up for grabs.
Will some old faces earn a recall or will there be new faces soon pulling on the England shirt? BBC Sport runs down some of the potential candidates for selection.
The 19-year-old Fulham midfielder has already been close to a senior-team debut.
King travelled to the US as part of the preparation squad before the World Cup, along with Alex Scott, Ethan Nwaneri and Rio Ngumoha.
Scott and Ngumoha have already made their debuts for the senior side and Nwaneri is currently on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
Tuchel said in his last press conference how King is close to a senior call-up and the midfielder has impressed for the under-21s too.
The biggest challenge for King will be finding a chance to shine in his favoured number 10 position with Bellingham being England's best player and the position being one of real strength for the Three Lions.
There are a lack of number nines in the English game and the job of being Harry Kane's understudy is harder than it sounds.
The England captain has just won the Ballon d'Or, likes to play almost every minute for his country and is the captain, record goalscorer and arguably the best player in Tuchel's side.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been selected in the squads pre and post the World Cup but, despite doing well for Leeds, it has not quite clicked for him under Tuchel and he was given just 15 minutes in two substitute appearances in the last window.
Tuchel has started to use Bellingham as the back-up to Kane but he could opt for more of a prospect in his squad in this shorter window and turn to Lankshear.
The 21-year-old striker, who like Kane started at Tottenham before being sold to Middlesbrough this summer for £20m, has scored 15 goals in all competitions so far this campaign.
He has scored 13 goals in as many games in the Championship, helping Middlesbrough to the top of the division.
He only made his debut for the under-21s during the last international window and scored in that game so it would be quite a rise for a player who is not in the Premier League.
Tuchel is aware of Lankshear and with a lack of number nines across the age groups it could be an interesting option for a manager who is not afraid of making big calls.
He did miss Middlesbrough's loss to Wrexham on Wednesday with a tweaked hamstring but could return in time for Saturday.
White has been unlucky since he ended his international hiatus to return in March.
The Arsenal defender missed the World Cup with a knee injury that saw him also miss the Champions League final.
White then missed the first England squad of this campaign with injury, with Tuchel saying the 29-year-old would have been called up if he had been fit, citing his partnership with Saka as potentially good for the Three Lions.
But White has been available for all but one of Arsenal's games this season and would add a quality defensive option at right-back if selected, especially with Reece James missing through injury.
Jordan Henderson has not been in the England set-up since the World Cup, where he fell over an advertising hoarding following England's win over Mexico in the Azteca Stadium and broke his arm.
Many would have thought the 36-year-old's international career was over but Henderson, then at Brentford, made a move to Chelsea as they looked to add experience to their young squad.
After recovering from the arm injury, Henderson has surprised some to become an important part of the Chelsea midfield, starting five games in a row and scoring twice in a win over Bournemouth, before he missed the Blues' win over Manchester United with injury.
Henderson is a popular figure, respected by staff and players and is again performing at the top level.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Thomas Tuchel will announce his England squad on Friday including decisions on Cole Palmer and other candidates.
Very likely · Within days

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