Alex Scott is withdrawing from the England squad due to an quad injury aggravated against Croatia.
The 23-year-old Bournemouth midfielder made his first start for the Three Lions on Saturday night, having made his debut off the bench against Czechia days before.
There are now fears that the Guernsey-born star could be sidelined for a couple of months, a blow for the Cherries who remain winless and 17th in the Premier League.
Scott played on during the international break in honour of his grandfather, who died days before his debut.
He impressed for England, playing 70 minutes against Croatia, and Thomas Tuchel described him as playing at the 'highest level'. – but he was said to be playing through pain from a pre-existing issue in order to represent his country.
Tuchel said of him: 'First start and what a start, what a performance. He is so smooth on the ball, his decision making is at the highest level.
'He plays with so much confidence. He is so active, so confident. The work rate off the ball. He is just the complete package. He gave us a lot of mobility and a lot of variety and work rate in the centre of the pitch.'
Alex Scott is withdrawing from the England international squad due to a quad injury
Thomas Tuchel described Scott as 'the complete package' and at the 'highest level'
It was a surprise when Scott received his first call-up last November – he didn't play in that stint – but there is a growing view that he can have a big future with England.
He soldiered through this international break to honour his grandfather, who he described as one of his 'biggest fans'.
'I will always remember this place now. England debut – it's what dreams are made of,' Scott told BBC Radio 5 Live.
'Something that when I was younger, even 15 or 16, wasn't a reality at all so I've worked really hard and it's a proud moment for me and my family as well.
'My partner, she's been there with me for a good six years so she's seen everything, my parents are massive for me, my brother growing up [we were] playing football non stop, and my grandad passed away last week.
'For him, obviously it was a special thing and it's a shame that he didn't see it but he would have been looking down and proud of it. It was tough last week, I found out on camp just before the Spain game, he was the proudest man, he came to all my matches whenever he could and he was my biggest fan.'
His withdrawal follows that of Nico O'Reilly, with the full-back returning to Manchester City after picking up a knock.
Scott will return to Bournemouth for medical tests instead of potentially playing the Czechs again at Wembley on Tuesday.
Scott is a key player for Bournemouth, who only sit 17th in the Premier League
It robs him of his latest audition against Chelsea, where Bournemouth travel on Saturday.
Xabi Alonso's club are interested in Scott. Chelsea bid for him at least once in the summer, though sources have claimed the Blues submitted three offers, up to £68million.
Scott’s current contract with Bournemouth runs until 2028 and he has so far resisted signing a new deal despite the efforts of those inside the Vitality Stadium.
Daily Mail Sport reported last week how Bournemouth sources have told those interested that they will only entertain negotiations for England’s newest international after they have established themselves in the Premier League once again this season.
They are also not interested in selling this January.
Bournemouth are currently 17th after five games, working under a new head coach in Marco Rose, and juggling Europe for the first time. While winless in the Premier League this term, they won 2-1 away at Real Sociedad in the Europa League, and beat Championship side Lincoln 4-0 in the Carabao Cup.
As well as Chelsea, multiple other clubs enquired about Scott in the summer. That included Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City, whose current crisis could deter transfer targets from joining, depending on what happens next in their case.
If Bournemouth stand firm on not selling this January, Chelsea may be forced to look at bringing in an alternative midfielder, such as Monaco's Lamine Camara.
His absence is a blow for Bournemnouth, who are also missing striker Eli Junior Kroupi.
Source: Sport
