Inter star Spence out of England squad for Croatia, but should be ready for Spain

Inter star Spence out of England squad for Croatia, but should be ready for Spain Inter wide man Djed Spence will not be part of the England squad to face Croatia, confirms Thomas Tuchel, but he ought to be ready to play against Spain this weekend. England are in Nations League Group 3 and sit in second place behind Spain, having won all three matches after the opening 3-2 home defeat to the World Cup winners. They will host Luka Modric’s Croatia on Thursday evening, the close out the group with a head-to-head in Spain on Sunday. Spence injury problems for England and Inter ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 15: Djed Spence #25 of England walks out the tunnel for the pitch inspection before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) England manager Tuchel confirmed in today’s press conference that Spence and Ezri Konsa will not feature in the game against Croatia, but are expected to return to full training by Saturday. They ought to therefore be ready for the Spain trip, but it seems unlikely at this point that the Inter player will be in the starting XI. It has been a tough season for the 26-year-old, who was a key figure in England’s World Cup run to the semi-final and eventually securing third place over the summer. MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JULY 18: Djed Spence #25 of England reacts after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Bronze Final between France and England at Miami Stadium on July 18, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) He made the transfer from Tottenham Hotspur to Inter on August 15, yet had to wait until October 10 until making his debut for the Italian club in a 3-0 Serie A victory over Parma. Spence struggled for fitness, but is starting to finally find his feet , playing all 90 minutes for three matches in a row between Serie A and the Champions League, providing two assists in those fixtures.