Ollie Watkins will miss England’s qualifier against Latvia after failing to recover from the heavy blow he took when clashing with the goalpost in the win over Wales. The Aston Villa striker, forced off at half-time, has returned to his club for treatment and will not join the squad for tomorrow’s match.
Thomas Tuchel will travel with a 22-man group for the trip, reshuffling his attacking options as he finalizes his starting XI. Captain Harry Kane is expected to return after recovering from an ankle problem sustained while playing for Bayern Munich, bringing a lethal goalscoring threat after netting 19 times in all competitions this season.
Kane’s return would hand England a powerful focal point against the 137th-ranked Latvians and shift tactical plans back toward a more traditional centre-forward setup. If Kane is unavailable, Anthony Gordon, who led the line impressively in the second half against Wales, is the most likely candidate to spearhead the attack.
Watkins’ absence is a blow to England’s depth and Villa’s medical team will now manage his recovery with care. Tuchel’s selections and any late fitness updates will determine whether England head to Riga with their talismanic striker reinstated or continue with a reshaped frontline.