Aoba Tanaka 
England’s preparations for their upcoming friendly against Belgium have been dealt a significant blow as defenders Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire, along with goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, have been ruled out of the match due to injuries.
Walker, who sustained an injury during the first half of England’s recent friendly against Brazil, joins Maguire on the sidelines. Maguire, who took over the captain’s armband after Walker’s substitution, was forced off the field in the 67th minute, compounding England’s defensive concerns.
In their absence, manager Gareth Southgate has turned to Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford and Manchester City defender Rico Lewis to fill the void. Trafford, a key member of England’s victorious Under-21 Euro squad last summer, receives his maiden senior call-up, while Lewis, who made his debut for the Three Lions in November, earns another opportunity to impress on the international stage.
The absence of key players like Walker and Maguire adds to England’s injury woes, with Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane and Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka already ruled out of contention. Kane’s absence presents an opportunity for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Brentford’s Ivan Toney to stake their claim in the forward line against Belgium.
Southgate highlighted the significance of Toney’s potential first start for England, emphasizing the importance of confidence and self-belief in top-level football. Despite the challenges posed by injuries, Southgate expressed confidence in Toney’s abilities and stressed the need for players to seize their opportunities when given the chance.
As England navigate through their injury setbacks, the focus remains on maintaining a competitive edge against Belgium, with Southgate looking to harness the strengths of his squad and make the most of the opportunities presented to emerging talents like Toney.
