England face headache as Tuchel deals injury blow before Friday

At the San Siro on Monday, 32‑year‑old John Stones limped off in the 62nd minute of Inter Milan’s 5‑3 win over Udinese, clutching a strained left‑thigh flexor. The injury, confirmed by Inter’s medical team, threatens to keep the England centre‑back out of Thomas Tuchel’s squad, which will be named at 10 am on Friday.

The story was filed by Nathan Ridley, Senior Sports Reporter for Sport, at 16:47 on 17 Sep 2026, and was accompanied by two images and a View link.

Injury details and club response

Inter confirmed that clinical and diagnostic tests were carried out at the Istituto Humanitas in Rozzano, revealing a strain to the flexor muscles in Stones’ left thigh. His condition will be reassessed over the coming days.

Stones joined Inter Milan on a two‑year deal in July after his release by Manchester City in June, and has made four appearances for the Serie A side. The Udinese match was his first start, and he was forced off in the 62nd minute.

Inter fear the defender could be out for up to a month, missing the club’s next four matches in all competitions. They hope to have him back when they host Parma on 10 October. The club’s medical staff remain optimistic about his recovery.

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Implications for England’s Nations League campaign

England are likely to be without Stones for the upcoming Nations League fixtures, leaving Thomas Tuchel to choose from centre‑backs Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, Trevoh Chalobah and Dan Burn.

Stones started three of England’s eight World Cup games, featuring in the quarter‑final win over Norway and the semi‑final loss to Argentina, and sat out the third‑place victory over France. He featured five times at the World Cup and earned 94 caps, second only to Harry Kane in Tuchel’s squad.

England are drawn in Nations League Group 3 with Spain, Czechia and Croatia. They begin at home to world champions Spain, then travel to Czechia and Croatia, with a return fixture against Czechia at Wembley before concluding the window with Croatia and Spain in November.

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A top‑two finish would see England advance to the knockout stage in March, while a third‑place result risks relegation to League B via the play‑offs and fourth place triggers automatic relegation.

The injury adds a defensive headache for Tuchel ahead of naming his first post‑World Cup squad on Friday, forcing the Three Lions to adapt their back line without Stones.