adminEngland have suffered another frustrating injury setback after Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott was forced to withdraw from Thomas Tuchel’s squad following the Three Lions’ emphatic 7-0 victory over Croatia.
Scott had been one of the standout performers in Rijeka, making his first senior England start and producing an impressive display alongside Elliot Anderson in midfield. However, what initially appeared to be a minor concern has now developed into a significant injury blow.
The Football Association confirmed on Monday that Scott had left the England camp and returned to Bournemouth for further assessment. Initial reports indicate that the midfielder could be unavailable for several weeks, while some reports suggest he could face a lay-off of up to two months.
The situation has naturally frustrated Bournemouth, particularly because Scott has become an increasingly important player for the club.
The 23-year-old reportedly experienced some discomfort around his thigh before and during the Croatia match. England staff checked on him, but Scott indicated that he was capable of continuing. He eventually played 70 minutes before being substituted.
Tuchel has defended the decision to allow Scott to feature, insisting that England had no reason to believe the midfielder was taking a significant risk.
The England boss described the situation as a “strange one” and explained that Scott had trained normally before the match. According to Tuchel, both the player and medical staff had given the green light for him to play.
Nevertheless, the injury has sparked frustration among supporters, with many questioning whether Scott should have been allowed to remain on the pitch once he experienced discomfort.
The timing is particularly unfortunate for the Bournemouth star. After finally earning his first England start, Scott appeared to have strengthened his case for a more regular role under Tuchel. His performance against Croatia was also viewed as evidence that he could challenge established midfield options, including Declan Rice.
His absence will now be another concern for England ahead of Tuesday’s Nations League meeting with Czechia at Wembley. Scott will join Ezri Konsa in returning to his club for further assessment, leaving Tuchel with fewer options as England prepare for their final fixture of the international window.
For Bournemouth, however, the concern is even greater. Scott has established himself as a key figure in the team and has played a major role in their strong start to the campaign.
England fans will now hope the latest medical assessments provide more positive news and that Scott can return sooner rather than later. For a player who had just taken a major step forward in his international career, the injury represents a particularly cruel interruption.
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