Thomas Tuchel has made his first tough decisions as England manager, axing three players from his matchday squad for tonight's World Cup qualifier against Albania.
The German coach, who took over the Three Lions job earlier this year, has omitted Morgan Gibbs-White, Jarell Quansah and Aaron Ramsdale from the 23-man squad that will be available for selection.
Tuchel, 51, initially named a 26-man squad for this international window last week.
However, UEFA regulations have forced his hand in trimming the group ahead of the crucial qualifier.
Thomas Tuchel has made his first tough decisions as England manager, axing three players from his matchday squad for tonight's World Cup qualifier against Albania
PA
The match represents Tuchel's first competitive fixture in charge of England since his appointment back in October.
UEFA rules stipulate that matchday squads can only include 23 players - 11 starters and 12 substitutes.
This restriction forced Tuchel to make the difficult decision to leave three players out of contention for tonight's match.
Gibbs-White, 25, was a late addition to the squad, having been drafted in due to fitness concerns over Cole Palmer.
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Thomas Tuchel has cut Morgan Gibbs-White from his England squad ahead of tonight's World Cup qualifier against Albania
PA
The Nottingham Forest midfielder's late call-up has ended in disappointment as he finds himself among those omitted.
Liverpool defender Quansah, 22, is another player to miss out despite being selected ahead of Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite in the initial squad.
Ramsdale completes the trio of players who won't be in the matchday squad, with the goalkeeper enduring a rough season with Southampton.
The decision means Tuchel has had to make some tough calls just days into his England tenure.
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Gibbs-White had spoken openly about his late call-up before learning he wouldn't make the final 23.
"It was about 4 or 5 o'clock on Sunday. The manager, Thomas, sent me a message to say 'are you free to talk?' And I replied within seconds 'yeah'," the Forest star revealed.
"He phoned me up and said 'are you still upset with me, or do you want to come and join us and fancy training tomorrow?'
"I said 'I'd obviously love to come and join and train with the boys', so, yes, I found out Sunday late afternoon-ish and I was just smiling from ear to ear."
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Quansah's omission is particularly disappointing for the Liverpool defender.
Despite being named in two previous England squads, the 22-year-old is still waiting to earn his first international cap.
Tuchel has made several notable selection decisions for his first match in charge.
Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are expected to anchor the midfield against Albania this evening.
The German coach raised eyebrows with some surprise inclusions when naming his initial squad last week.
Thomas Tuchel will be hoping to steer England to victory over Albania tonight
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Veterans Kyle Walker, Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford all received call-ups despite mixed form at club level.
The new manager has also shown willingness to blood new talent.
Newcastle defender Dan Burn and young Arsenal prospect Myles Lewis-Skelly are both in contention to earn their first England caps tonight.
England fans will be eager to see how his first starting XI shapes up this evening.
