Morgan Gibbs-White is set to return to the England squad after Cole Palmer was ruled out of the upcoming international fixtures with a minor injury.

The Nottingham Forest midfielder was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s initial squad, but the England boss had admitted that Gibbs-White was close to earning a recall. The 26-year-old is now expected to join up with the Three Lions as Palmer withdraws from the squad.

Palmer had been recalled by Tuchel after being controversially left out of England’s World Cup squad. The Chelsea forward was given the opportunity to return to the national team after a difficult period with injury.

Tuchel had previously challenged Palmer to “step up” and “keep his shirt and justify the nomination”, but the midfielder will now miss England’s upcoming run of matches.

Palmer’s withdrawal comes after he played the full 90 minutes in Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat at Brentford on Friday. The 24-year-old has started six of Chelsea’s seven games this season, completing five of those matches, and has contributed four goals and two assists.

His latest absence is another setback after he struggled with a recurring groin problem during the 2025/26 campaign. Palmer last represented England in March, when the Three Lions suffered a 1-0 friendly defeat against Japan.

Gibbs-White, meanwhile, has one goal and two assists from Forest’s opening five league matches this season. The midfielder’s most recent England appearance came in October 2025, when he featured in a 3-0 friendly victory over Wales.

England are preparing for a busy international period, with four matches scheduled during the extended break.

Tuchel’s side will host World Cup winners Spain at Wembley on September 26 before travelling to face the Czech Republic three days later. England will then visit Croatia on October 3 before hosting the Czech Republic again on October 6.

Gibbs-White’s recall gives Tuchel another attacking midfield option as England continue their preparations for the upcoming international schedule.