Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins has been ruled out of England’s upcoming World Cup qualifier against Latvia after sustaining an injury during a recent international friendly against Wales. The striker picked up the knock following an unfortunate collision with the goalpost while attempting to convert a scoring opportunity.
The incident occurred in the first half of the match, when Watkins stretched to reach a cross and crashed into the post, appearing to injure his left leg in the process. He received immediate treatment on the pitch but was unable to continue and was substituted at half-time, with Marcus Rashford coming on in his place.
Watkins’ withdrawal raised concerns among England supporters and coaching staff, particularly given his strong recent form for Aston Villa. Medical assessments conducted after the match confirmed that the forward would not be fit in time for the World Cup qualifier, prompting his exclusion from the squad for the Latvia fixture.
England’s medical team are continuing to monitor the situation, and while the injury is not believed to be long-term, Watkins will return to his club for further evaluation and rehabilitation. His availability for Aston Villa’s upcoming fixtures will depend on how he responds to treatment over the coming days.
The absence of Watkins is a setback for England, as the striker has become an increasingly important option in attack thanks to his work rate, movement, and goal-scoring consistency. Marcus Rashford is expected to play a more prominent role in the forward line as England look to maintain momentum in their qualification campaign.
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