Injuries to Thomas Tuchel's back-line could see Trent Alexander-Arnold handed his first England start since October 2024.
The Three Lions' defensive woes worsened when it was confirmed that Arsenal's Ezri Konsa and Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly are following their own individual training plans and are doubts for England's visit to Prague to face Czechia on Tuesday night.
While the defensive pair have not been ruled out of the Prague encounter, it adds additional uncertainty to an area that is already threadbare.
Trio Reece James, Ben White and Dan Burn were unavailable for selection due to injury, while Tino Livramento was forced to withdraw from Tuchel's squad as a result of a setback suffered in training before Newcastle United's Premier League encounter against Hull City.
While the lack of available options across the back line is far from beneficial for Thomas Tuchel, it has created an opening for Alexander-Arnold, who was named in the German's 27-man squad for the first time since June 2025.
We take a look at which eight players have featured at right-back for England since the Liverpudlian's last national team start in October 2024.
Players to have featured at right-back for England since Alexander-Arnold's last start
- Kyle Walker
- Reece James
- Ben White
- Djed Spence
- Ezri Konsa
- Tino Livramento
- Jarell Quansah
- Curtis Jones
The question was never, 'who is the right-back that can guide England to major success?' The question was always, 'which of Trent Alexander-Arnold or Reece James can guide England to major success?'
Those who prefer attacking output and elite playmaking may have answered Alexander-Arnold, while those who favor defensive stability and robustness may have opted for James, but for various reasons the solution has not been straightforward for Gareth Southgate or Tuchel.
The Real Madrid man has been out of favour since Tuchel's arrival, while the Chelsea right-back's inability to stay fit at crucial stages has cost him a consistent run in the side.
Kyle Walker acknowledged that his time in international football was up when opting to retired in March 2026, before the World Cup.
Not one right-back was able to tie down the spot during the major tournament in the States. James, Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa and Jarell Quansah all featured in the position, while you suspect that Tino Livramento would have been deployed there had he not have withdrawn due to a calf injury.
Ben White made a late push for the World Cup squad when returning to the fold for England's March friendlies, but he was unable to make enough of an impression to Tuchel.
Even midfielder Curtis Jones has been preferred to Alexander-Arnold in the right-back department since Tuchel's arrival, starting in the position against Andorra in June 2025 -- despite his former Liverpool teammate being on the bench.
