Chelsea forward Cole Palmer has withdrawn from the England squad ahead of their upcoming Nations League matches and has returned to Stamford Bridge.

The Football Association announced that Phil Foden and Ollie Watkins have also pulled out of the squad. Foden, who was recently named PFA Player of the Year, was called up by interim England manager Lee Carsley but did not join the team due to illness.

Palmer and Watkins initially reported for duty at St George’s Park but have since returned to their respective clubs to continue their recovery from ongoing issues, according to the Football Association.

England is set to face the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, September 7, followed by a match against Finland at Wembley three days later. These fixtures will be the team's first since their loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final on July 14.

Following that defeat, Gareth Southgate resigned as England manager, and U-21 boss Lee Carsley was appointed as interim manager on August 9.

In his squad selection for the Nations League games, Carsley has called up Angel Gomes, Tino Livramento, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Noni Madueke. All four players were part of the U-21 squad under Carsley’s management.

Additionally, Jack Grealish, who was left out of England’s preliminary Euro 2024 squad, has been recalled along with Manchester United defender Harry Maguire.