England star ‘ruled out of World Cup’ on day before opener as Thomas Tuchel names last-minute replacement

England defender Tino Livramento is reportedly set to be ruled out of the World Cup with Trevoh Chalobah replacing him.

It is understood the Newcastle United defender has suffered a calf injury, which is expected to see him withdraw from the squad one day before the opener against Croatia – live on talkSPORT.

Livramento had a stop-start season for Newcastle but made the squadGetty

The Daily Telegraph reports that Chelsea‘s one-cap defender Chalobah will replace him.

The BBC are reporting that the injury happened on Sunday during training.

Livramento was selected to provide cover at right-back or left-back, with Thomas Tuchel expected to start with Nico O’Reilly and Reece James in the full-back positions.

talkSPORT understands the England manager is still debating whether or not to start Bukayo Saka on the right amid concerns over his fitness.

The deadline to replace a player through injury is 24 hours before the match is due to take place.

That means they have until 9pm this evening to make the switch.

After the 24-hour cut-off, a team is not allowed to make any further changes to their outfield playing squad.

The only exception comes in the form of goalkeepers.

If a goalkeeper sustains a serious injury or illness, they are allowed to be replaced at any time during the tournament.

The player also has to be part of the 55-man preliminary squad, which is why Chalobah can be called up, and he will join up with the squad after Croatia.

Reacting to the news immediately on Hawksbee and Jacobs, former Toon boss Steve Bruce said: “It’s absolute devastation to the kid. Unfortunately he’s picked up a few injuries this year.

“I presume something has happened in training. It’s football, these things happen. You can jump for a ball and twist your ankle or turn your knee.

“It’s devastating for him and for England. He’s one of our only recognised right-backs.”

Livramento was picked by Tuchel despite a very injury-hit season for Newcastle.

The Magpies played in four competitions, but Livramento missed 36 games.

The 23-year-old only played 17 times in the Premier League for Newcastle with Kieran Trippier and Lewis Miley having to fill in for Livramento, who struggled with hamstring and knee injuries.

Tuchel now has a very short amount of time to make the required switchGetty

Tuchel loses a valuable component

Despite his injury woes, Livramento returned to training in time to be selected for the World Cup squad.

He can play as a left or right-back, and that versatility as well as his speed and one-on-one defending made him a valuable option.

Reports from Craig Hope of the Daily Mail last year claimed that Tuchel saw Livramento as a long-term member of his first team.

So, losing him is a blow for the German.

Chalobah’s chance

Tuchel is handing a chance to a player that he knows very well.

That is because the German gave Chalobah his Chelsea Premier League debut in 2021.

The defender is mainly a centre-back, but he can play at right-back and has played at left-back before.

The 26-year-old made 34 appearances for Chelsea in the Premier League this season as the Blues struggled.

Chalobah has a chance in the England squad to make his markGetty

Not another one

This news about Livramento follows Saka’s struggles in training.

Tuchel admitted last week that the Arsenal star was struggling to start and finish matches due to an Achilles problem.

Speaking about Saka’s issues, Tuchel said: “Bukayo is still getting there, playing through discomfort at the end of the season, but obviously managing it and playing at a high level.

“But he is still not 100 per cent for us, some things are missing for Bukayo in terms of consecutive training.

“Arsenal took very good care of him and were very aware of it.

“So step-by-step, he is at the moment not able to do every training session through the week and then play.

“I didn’t say Bukayo was not ready to start. But I think it is very unlikely Bukayo starts and finishes the matches all from now on.”