Ezri Konsa back in full England training but Nico O'Reilly leaves camp
Ezri Konsa has returned to full England training and is in contention for Saturday's trip to Croatia, Thomas Tuchel has confirmed. The Arsenal defender missed the 2-0 win over the Czech Republic with a minor issue but trained fully on Friday at HNK Rijeka, while Nico O'Reilly has left the squad for treatment.
- Main story: Ezri Konsa back in full training and available for England's game against Croatia on Saturday.
- Setback: Nico O'Reilly has left the England camp to get treatment and will miss Croatia and next Tuesday's return against the Czech Republic.
- Arsenal focus: Konsa joined Arsenal from Aston Villa for £51 million this summer and Mikel Arteta needs him fit for the visit of Leeds after the international break.
- Selection hint: Tuchel says Marc Guehi is ready and very likely to start on the right side of centre-back.
- What's at stake: England travel to Croatia with a healthier squad but without their left-back option, O'Reilly.
What was said
"It seems that Ezri Konsa is back. He did the full training today and this is of course a lot of hope for tomorrow, because he is a key player for us."
"Nico O'Reilly our left-back left the camp, and on the right side [of centre-back], we have some competition and Marc [Guehi] should be ready to go and very likely to start."
"He unfortunately had to leave camp to get treatment as soon as possible. With his discomfort, it was just too painful. He could not come back on the pitch. He is the only one who is not available. Everyone else started training and finished training today [Friday]."
Tuchel's comments paint a clear picture: England's defensive options have been reshuffled, but the squad is otherwise fully fit. The return of Konsa, described as a key player, gives England flexibility at the back and softens the blow of losing O'Reilly on the left. Guehi's expected start suggests Tuchel is comfortable with his centre-back depth for a difficult away fixture.
The phrasing around O'Reilly is notably blunt. "It was just too painful" is not the language of a precautionary withdrawal, so England will manage without him for both remaining matches. For Konsa, the words "a lot of hope for tomorrow" signal he is more than a squad filler, even if Tuchel is not yet naming his XI.
Injury and availability
- Ezri Konsa: Back in full training on Friday at HNK Rijeka. Available and in contention for Saturday's game against Croatia.
- Nico O'Reilly: Left the England camp to get treatment. Ruled out of the Croatia match and next Tuesday's return game against the Czech Republic.
- Marc Guehi: Ready to go and very likely to start on the right side of centre-back.
- Everyone else: Started and finished training on Friday, according to Tuchel.
Why Arsenal need Konsa fit for Leeds
Arsenal spent £51 million to sign Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa this summer, so every fitness update matters. The visit of Leeds after the international break is a fixture Mikel Arteta will expect to win, and Konsa's availability gives him a settled defensive option. A minor issue that costs one England game is far better than a problem that drags into the Premier League weekend.
Konsa's ability to train fully on Friday means he should be ready for the Croatia trip, and that in turn means he arrives back at Arsenal with match sharpness rather than stiffness. Arteta will want him involved against Leeds, especially with the schedule about to thicken. For England, Konsa's return is about defensive balance: without O'Reilly, Tuchel loses a left-back, but Konsa's presence allows him to use Guehi on the right and keep the back line experienced.
The bigger picture is workload. Konsa started the 3-2 defeat to Spain and then missed the Czech Republic game, so England have managed his minutes carefully. If he plays in Croatia, Arsenal will monitor his recovery before Leeds. That juggling act between club and country is exactly why Tuchel's update was so closely watched.
Talking points
- Should Tuchel risk Konsa in Croatia when Arsenal need him for Leeds, or is a full England return too soon after a minor issue?
- Does O'Reilly's exit hand a bigger opportunity to England's other left-back options, or expose a genuine lack of depth in that position?
- Is Marc Guehi now England's first-choice right-sided centre-back, or is Tuchel simply managing Konsa's return carefully?
- Arsenal paid £51 million for Konsa – does one missed England game change how Arteta should manage his minutes this season?
What happens next
England travel to Croatia on Saturday with Konsa in contention and O'Reilly unavailable. After that, England host the Czech Republic next Tuesday, but O'Reilly will play no part in either fixture. Arsenal then prepare for the visit of Leeds following the international break, when Arteta will hope to call on a fully fit Konsa.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ezri Konsa fit to play for England against Croatia?
Yes. Thomas Tuchel confirmed Konsa did full training on Friday and is in contention for Saturday's game.
Why has Nico O'Reilly left the England camp?
O'Reilly left to get treatment as soon as possible because his discomfort was too painful. He will miss the Croatia match and next Tuesday's return against the Czech Republic.
Will Ezri Konsa be available for Arsenal vs Leeds after the international break?
Konsa is back in training with England and Arsenal will want him available for the visit of Leeds, though his exact involvement depends on how he comes through the Croatia game.
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