O'Reilly Out: England Without Left-Back for Croatia Trip

O'Reilly Returns to Manchester City for Assessment

Nico O'Reilly has withdrawn from the England squad for their final two Nations League matches of the international break because of injury, according to reports. The left-back has returned to his club side Manchester City for "further assessment" and will miss both the trip to Croatia on Saturday and the return fixture against the Czech Republic on Tuesday.

The news represents a blow to manager Thomas Tuchel, who had used O'Reilly for the full duration of England's 3-2 defeat by Spain. The defender then sat out Tuesday's 2-0 win against the Czech Republic, a match in which his absence was already felt on the left side of the defence. England have confirmed they do not plan to call up any replacements for the remainder of the international window, leaving Tuchel to work with the options already at his disposal.

O'Reilly's withdrawal continues a demanding period for the full-back, who featured for England at the 2026 World Cup before stepping into the current Nations League campaign. His return to Manchester City means the Premier League side will now assess the extent of the problem, with the club's medical staff set to determine whether the issue requires a longer period of recovery.

Hall Steps In as England's Left Flank Reshuffles

In O'Reilly's absence against the Czech Republic, Lewis Hall was handed the opportunity to fill the left-back role. The Newcastle United full-back delivered a composed performance and combined well with former Magpies team-mate Anthony Gordon on England's left flank, offering Tuchel a ready-made alternative for the upcoming fixtures.

That partnership could prove significant as England prepare for a testing trip to Croatia. Hall's familiarity with Gordon from their time together at club level appeared to translate smoothly onto the international stage, giving the manager a natural option rather than forcing a reshuffle across the back line. With no replacements being drafted in, Hall is expected to retain the role for both remaining matches.

England's decision not to call up cover also suggests confidence in the current squad's depth. Tuchel has spoken recently about the difficulty of replacing certain players, and while the left-back position is less affected than the forward line, the loss of O'Reilly still removes a player who had started the campaign as a first-choice option.

What It Means for City and England

For Manchester City, the priority will be establishing how long O'Reilly might be unavailable. The phrase "further assessment" indicates that no definitive timeline has yet been set, and the club will conduct its own checks before issuing any guidance on a potential return date. Until that assessment is complete, both City and England supporters face an anxious wait.

For England, the immediate focus shifts to the Nations League double-header. The defeat to Spain and the victory over the Czech Republic have left the group finely poised, and Tuchel will need his defensive unit to hold firm without one of its regular starters. Croatia away represents a particularly stern test, and the left side of England's defence will be under scrutiny.

The international break has already seen several injury stories dominate the headlines, with Portugal and Italy among the nations dealing with withdrawals. England now find themselves in a similar position, albeit with a more contained problem given the availability of Hall and the decision not to alter the squad further.

O'Reilly's situation will be monitored closely in the coming days. Should the injury prove minor, he could return to City duty quickly, but any extended absence would raise questions about his availability for the club's forthcoming fixtures. For now, England must navigate two important matches without him, relying on the understanding between Hall and Gordon to carry the threat down the left.

As the international window reaches its conclusion, the focus for Tuchel's side is clear: secure results in Croatia and against the Czechs, and manage the fitness of a squad that has already been stretched. The absence of O'Reilly is a reminder of how quickly plans can change, and why depth across every position matters in a congested calendar.