Mount out of Albania showdown after undergoing dental surgery
Gareth Southgate will be without Mason Mount for England’s key World Cup qualifier against Albania at Wembley on Friday.
Mount had an operation to remove four wisdom teeth on Sunday and has still not met up with the England squad. It is unclear whether he will have to pull out of the squad entirely, but he will not have recovered in time for Friday.
Mount made an appearance as a substitute in Chelsea’s draw with Burnley at the weekend, but required surgery after the pain from an infection became too bad.
The midfielder is a key part of England manager Southgate’s team and tactics. Without Mount, Southgate will select between Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Jordan Henderson for the third midfield place alongside Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips on Friday. Rice was unwell yesterday, but it is hoped he will have recovered in time to face Albania. Losing both players would be a serious blow to Southgate.
Should England beat Albania, they will need only a point from their final qualifier against San Marino on Monday to clinch their place at the World Cup. But defeat would leave them at risk of finishing second in Group I, as Poland are only three points behind.
Southgate is expected to field a full-strength team, which means Kyle Walker would start ahead of Reece James. The players’ clubs, Manchester City and Chelsea respectively, are fighting it out at the top of the Premier League, and James admitted that it could be hard to put rivalries to one side on international duty, but that Walker had been trying to help him.
“Kyle Walker has put his arm around me a few times,” said James. “He tells me to keep working hard and my time will come.
“He can play in a number of positions and has been at the top of the game in his position for a number of years now.
“He is an experienced player and has a lot of high-level games under his belt.
“When you come away, you have to put club rivalry aside and when we are here, we are one team and our aim is to win, whoever we play.”
On the battle for the right-back position, which involves himself, Walker and Trent Alexander-arnold in this squad, James added: “Each one of us has a different style of play. Trent has been at the top for quite a few years and obviously there is
Kyle, so the competition
is tough and there are other fullbacks not here who are at a very good level.
“It is always tough not playing when you feel you should be playing, but that is because of the good players in every position.”
Asked for a theory on why England had so many options at right-back, with Kieran Trippier not in the latest squad, James added: “The position has definitely changed from five or 10 years ago as being a rightback then was just a defender, but now it is a lot more advanced. You are not just a defender, you can go forward and the style of play has changed a lot.” James, who is Chelsea’s joint-top scorer with four goals from right wing-back this season, is clear on his long-term personal ambition. “I am sure everyone’s aim is to be the best in their position,” James said. “I want to be the best and get the best out of myself.”
Liverpool have closed their investigation into claims Manchester City’s backroom staff were spat at after finding no evidence. City complained following an incident in last month’s 2-2 draw. It is understood there was no mention of being spat at in subsequent interviews and statements from City staff and the club did not report the incident to police. Evidence was found of aggressive behaviour, in the form of shouting and gestures, by two fans. They have been moved from their seats behind the Anfield dugouts.