Word stemming from the media late on Friday points towards a potential shake-up in England’s midfield ranks ahead of the World Cup kicking into gear.
This comes amid mounting concern surrounding the wellbeing of a current member of Gareth Southgate’s engine room ranks.
The player in question? James Maddison.
Leicester City star Maddison of course sparked fears across the England camp this past weekend, in limping out of the Foxes’ 2-0 downing of West Ham.
Initially, it was assured that the problem represented a minor one, with the 25-year-old’s premature exit from proceedings purely precautionary.
Maddison, however, has since been unable to train alongside the rest of Southgate’s squad.
BREAKING: James Maddison is highly unlikely to play any part in England’s World Cup opener against Iran due to injury, talkSPORT understands.
📲 Listen ☞ https://t.co/VJgUHnqLBz pic.twitter.com/QB1gBiMcQn
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) November 18, 2022
Should upcoming medical tests give rise to unfavourable results, then Southgate could well be left with little choice but to send Maddison home.
And, in the case of as much coming to fruition, an insight into one potential replacement in the English camp in Qatar, on Friday, has been provided.
As per the Liverpool Echo, Harvey Elliott ‘could be in line for a shock Three Lions call-up’.
Midfield starlet Elliott is yet to be afforded his senior bow at international level, having previously lined out for England only at youth level.
The prominent role played by the 19-year-old at club level of late, though, means that Elliott could yet be called upon by Gareth Southgate over the course of the coming weekend.
🚨 NEW: Harvey Elliott could be in line for a shock call-up to the England World Cup squad as the Three Lions are concerned over the fitness of James Maddison. #lfc [liverpool echo] pic.twitter.com/89HZAYiOAZ
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) November 18, 2022
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