Alex Scott is withdrawing from the England squad due to an quad injury picked up 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
