England striker Ollie Watkins will miss the World Cup qualifier against Latvia, the Three Lions have confirmed. Watkins sustained a knock during the friendly victory over Wales during the week and Tuesday's game comes too soon for him.
"Ollie Watkins has been ruled out of tomorrow's @FIFAWorldCup qualifier against Latvia, having not recovered from the knock sustained against Wales. Speedy recovery, Ollie!" a social media post from the national team read.
The news comes after Jarell Quansah was also ruled out of the Latvia game. The Bayer Leverkusen centre-back has returned to his club as a precaution and will play no part on Tuesday.
Watkins, 30, started against Wales and contributed to England's fast start in the friendly. He scored the second of three first-half goals for Tuchel's side, with Morgan Rogers and Bukayo Saka also on target in the comfortable victory.
However, he suffered an injury later in the first period after colliding with a post. The striker kept going until half-time but didn't re-emerge for the second half, with Marcus Rashford taking his place.
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England can qualify for the World Cup if they beat Latvia on Tuesday, thanks to Albania's victory over Serbia on Saturday. Albania can only finish on a maximum of 17, while Serbia can earn 16 at most, but three points in Riga would take Tuchel's team up to 18.
The Three Lions have won all five of their qualifiers so far without conceding a single goal, and still have options in attack despite Watkins' absence. Harry Kane could return after not being risked against Wales, while Barcelona loanee Rashford could get more minutes after his run-out from the bench on Thursday.
“We are getting there. We are getting there 100 per cent," Tuchel said after the win against Wales. "In Serbia, it looked like club football and against Wales it looked like club football.”
Watkins' fellow scorer Rogers has been impressed with Tuchel's impact as he continues to attempt to show he has what it takes to make the squad for next summer's World Cup. "When he came in it was a fresh slate for everyone," Rogers said.
"There is probably 40-50 players showing what they're about, and it is a privilege to be here. I want to maintain my performances here and at the club. That's ultimately what I want to do. You see his credentials. He has come in here, and he has ideas of playing and to be able to fit into that is a nice feeling."
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