BEN CHILWELL has added to Gareth Southgate’s nervous three weeks before the World Cup with a heartbreaking injury.
The Chelsea left-back’s apparent hamstring injury against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday night means the England boss has fitness fears over at least EIGHT players.
The Three Lions have arguably the world’s greatest batch of right-backs – but were rocked by serious problems for Reece James and Kyle Walker.
And Southgate‘s probable first-choice centre-backs Harry Maguire and John Stones, might be lacking match sharpness due to their shortage of game time at club level.
Experienced midfielders Kalvin Phillips and Jordan Henderson could also be struggling.
And up front Dominic Calvert-Lewin is battling back to full fitness.
But at least Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has quickly shrugged off an ankle knock this week.
Here’s our lowdown on England chief Southgate’s main worries for Qatar, with their opener against Iran on November 21.
BEN CHILWELL
Even Chelsea boss Graham Potter was pessimistic after the 25-year-old collapsed to the floor with hamstring trouble during stoppage-time in the 2-1 Champions League win over Zagreb.
Potter told BT Sport: “It doesn’t look positive. But it’s a hamstring and we’ll have to scan it and see how it is.”
REECE JAMES
Chilwell’s right-wing back team-mate at Stamford Bridge is a long shot to make the plane to the Middle East – as a knee injury suffered in mid-October could keep him out for eight weeks.
James’ outstanding start to the season – which was tipped to make him an England starter in Qatar crumbled when he was hurt against AC Milan in the Champions League.
KYLE WALKER
The Manchester City star’s ability to play as one of three central defenders, as well as his usual right-back spot, made him a popular choice for Southgate.
But Walker faces a real struggle to be fit following the abdominal injury he picked up in the 6-3 derby win over United on October 2.
JOHN STONES
The Etihad central defender is fit after missing six matches with hamstring problems.
But although he returned at RIGHT-BACK in last Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Leicester he was rested against Seville on Wednesday and could be rusty for the World Cup.
HARRY MAGUIRE
England’s centre-back mainstay finally regained his Premier League place for Manchester United in Sunday’s 1-0 win over West Ham.
But although he produced his best form of the season, there have to be question marks over how match-tuned he’ll be in Qatar.
KALVIN PHILLIPS
The midfield anchorman was sidelined first by Etihad’s big names and then by a bad shoulder in September – as his £45million summer move from Leeds looks questionable.
Phillips might well shake off his injury before the World Cup – but perhaps not his failure to start a Prem match this season.
JORDAN HENDERSON
Liverpool‘s midfield workhorse hasn’t made his usual impression this season, and not only because a hamstring injury kept him out for five matches.
Southgate is known for his loyalty and Henderson for his commitment, but the 32-year-old could be a bit fragile for a whole tournament.
DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN
Everton‘s main man up front seems to be recapturing full fitness after only returning from a knee injury in October.
But of all the players on England’s “worry list” he’s maybe the only one who wouldn’t be a contender to start even if completely match sharp – thanks of course to the goalscoring pedigree of Three Lions’ skipper Harry Kane.
