England confirmed that defender Marc Guehi has left the squad before Sunday's World Cup qualifier against Albania. The Crystal Palace centre-back missed Thursday's victory over Serbia due to a foot injury and will not be fit in time for the Group K finale in Tirana.

He has returned to his club for ongoing treatment, aiming to be match-ready for next Saturday's Premier League clash with Wolves. Thomas Tuchel has decided not to call up a replacement, meaning he will head to Albania with a group of 24. A statement from the Football Association confirmed: "Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi has left the England camp and will not travel to Albania for Sunday's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

"The defender joined up with the Three Lions at Tottenham Hotspur's training ground earlier this week but has returned to his club to continue his rehabilitation."

With Guehi's absence, Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa and Manchester City's John Stones could continue to build their partnership while Dan Burn, Trevoh Chalobah or Jarrell Quansah could step in if Tuchel decides to make changes for the dead rubber.

Tuchel's team are aiming to finish the qualification period with a flawless record, having won their first seven matches without conceding a goal.

Their spot at next summer's World Cup is guaranteed and the German manager has only three more matches to finalise his plans for the tournament.

Tuchel had previously revealed that Guehi suffered "no structual damage" in his foot injury, picked up in Palace's 3-1 UEFA Conference League victory over Dutch giants AZ.

"With Marc it is very painful but there is no structural damage so it is all about the pain," Tuchel said on Wednesday. "There is a possibility that overnight from one day to the next that we have a significant improvement.

"So we are working, realistically, towards the second game. If he is not in training, let's say, on Friday or Saturday then we will not make him travel. Then he gets rest and treatment and can stay in London.

"It is nice. He wants to stay with us and we wanted him to stay close. He is one of the leaders, he is an important member of the team, he is an important glue between many players and it is nice to see.

"He tries everything to be included in the second match and we wanted to have the opportunity, that is why we assess him every day."