THOMAS TUCHEL has given an injury update on Noni Madueke after his early knock against Uruguay.

The winger got the nod to start in the at Wembley on Friday night.

England v Uruguay - International FriendlyNoni Madueke was forced off injured in the first half of England’s friendly against UruguayCredit: Getty England v Uruguay - International FriendlyThomas Tuchel admitted the injury was “worrying” after the matchCredit: Getty

But after a , was clattered by Rodrigo Aguirre in the opposition box, and stayed down.

chose not to intervene in the incident, and despite him trying to carry on, Madueke was soon substituted for just before the 40-minute mark.

Madueke was later , sparking more concern over a potentially lengthy absence for the 24-year-old.

Tuchel addressed the injury after the match, but admitted the exact extent of the knock remains to be seen.

Tuchel said: “I’m worried, of course. Very sad and upset and hopefully it’s not a big injury.

“It was the tackle. I think it was on the edge, the tackle, within the box. But they didn’t check it.”

powered on with Bowen on the wing, and thought they had secured a late win through Madueke’s fellow Gunner ‘s back-post tap-in.

But a wayward foot from the same man was deemed to have clipped a boot in the box, to hand Fede Valverde the chance to equalise from the spot in injury time.

England v Uruguay - International Friendly, London, United Kingdom - 27 Mar 2026Madueke was roughly brought down in the box by Uruguay’s Rodrigo AguirreCredit: Shutterstock Editorial NINTCHDBPICT001069893568Madueke left the venue in a knee braceCredit: DOM SMITH / X

Despite the result, Tuchel was full of praise for his side, including Madueke.

He said: “He started well, he was full of energy, he was ready to go.

“Against a team like Uruguay, who rely on one-on-ones, to isolate them, he makes the spaces open up and he could have been a key player for us, which he is.”

The knock could impact Madueke’s chances of making the squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

And in more immediate terms, the blow will have sweating as he looks to hold onto Arsenal’s commanding lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Madueke has been a reliable bench option for the Spanish tactician this season behind .

It is rotten luck for the side, for whom Madueke was one of a handful of stars playing after with injury concerns.

Among them were , Gabriel, , and .

Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber are also recovering from injury issues and are racing to be back to bolster the campaign to bring a Prem title to North London.

Illustration of the England football squad roster for matches against Uruguay and Japan.