Arsenal star Max Dowman, 16, in line to link up with England squad after mass withdrawals

MAX DOWMAN is hoping to land an England training call-up — after Thomas Tuchel was hit by five players withdrawing. Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento pulled out of the four Nations League matches, starting with the opener at home to Spain on Saturday. Max Dowman scored twice against Ipswich last week Credit: Getty Thomas Tuchel has added two players to his squad amid plenty of withdrawals Credit: Alamy Morgan Gibbs-White and James Garner were added to the squad as cover. And boss Tuchel is considering giving Dowman, 16, his first taste of training with Harry Kane and Co. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! Even before yesterday’s withdrawals, Tuchel had already decided to take a look at some of the country’s brightest talents at St George’s Park this week Unusually, England’s U21s, U20s, U18s and U17s are also training at England’s HQ this week as they prepare for matches. Midfielder Dowman, 16, is with the Under-19s who will face Ireland in a friendly at St George’s Park on Friday. In March, Tuchel refused to rule out Dowman making a late run into his World Cup squad. But while that did not happen, he is likely to receive a senior call-up in the next 12 months ahead of Euro 2028. Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha, 18, has been included in this squad. Most read in Football Dowman has played for England up to Under-19 level Credit: Getty Rio Ngumoha has been called up to the senior squad Credit: AFP Chelsea forward Palmer was due to return to Tuchel’s squad after being snubbed for the World Cup. But a slight injury has seen him withdraw, while Rashford picked up a knock during Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Fulham on Sunday. England face world champions Spain in a sold-out Nations League game at Wembley on Saturday night. The Three Lions will then head to Prague to face the Czech Republic next Tuesday. The following day, the squad will fly to Rijeka ahead of a Nations League game against Croatia on Saturday October 3. The match is behind closed doors due to a Uefa punishment for poor behaviour from Croatia’s fans but 100 loyal England supporters will be allowed to watch. Three days later, England are back at Wembley to face the Czech Republic. The final two Nations League games against Spain and Croatia will be staged in November and if England finish in the top two, the quarter-finals will be in March. Another date for Tuchel is the qualifying draw for Euro 2028 in Belfast on December 6. Comment now