Thomas Tuchel confirms Arsenal and Chelsea stars 'unavailable' due to injury in fresh twist
Thomas Tuchel has named his latest England squad
Thomas Tuchel has declared that both Ben White and Reece James are injured and not available for selection with England.
It raises the question as to whether either player will be available at club level before the break. Premier League champions Arsenal travel to Brighton on Saturday while Chelsea face Brentford on Friday evening.
Mikel Arteta appeared to indicate earlier today that White had a chance of facing Brighton despite feeling his groin in last weekend's 2-0 win at Sunderland.
Xabi Alonso also refused to confirm whether James had picked up a problem in last weekend's 2-2 draw with Hull City.
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Tuchel said on White, who he admits was actually set to be part of his latest England squad: "Ben pulled out with an injury, he had a fantastic start to the season and was back to his very best on the side as a pair with Bukayo Saka which could be very valuable for us to have two payers on the side.
"But unfortunately he wasn't available for the World Cup and is not available now. It is unfortunately a little bit of a story with Ben that in the decisive moments or in the moments where we do the call-ups he is not available."
White was reinstated back into the England fold earlier this year when he netted in a 1-1 friendly draw with Uruguay at Wembley.
He was also booed on his first international outing since 2022 before later giving away a penalty.
Ben White was forced off at half-time of Arsenal's 2-0 win at Sunderland last weekend(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
James was part of the England squad for this summer's World Cup as the Three Lions suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the semi-finals.
England play four matches before club football returns. They host world champions Spain before squaring off against Czechia and Croatia. Czechia then visit Wembley in the final match of the international break.
White, as Tuchel referenced, has started the season in fine form in the absence of team-mate Jurrien Timber.
But the 28-year-old is now facing a fight to prove his fitness in time to face Brighton, though Timber is being heavily tipped to start having sat out of the midweek Carabao Cup win at Ipswich Town.
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