Watkins ruled out of Latvia qualifier after knock, returned to Villa

Ollie Watkins has withdrawn from England’s squad and returned to Aston Villa after sustaining a knock in Thursday’s 3-0 friendly win over Wales, the Football Association said on Monday, ruling the striker out of Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier in Latvia. Watkins, who scored England’s second goal at Wembley, collided with the goalpost late in the first half, continued until half time but was substituted and has not recovered in time to travel.

Watkins struck from close range in the 11th minute after Morgan Rogers had opened the scoring, and Bukayo Saka added a third before half time. As he attempted to convert a second chance, Watkins miscuing a close-range effort clipped the post and left him requiring on-pitch treatment. He walked off at the interval and Marcus Rashford replaced him for the second half.

England manager Thomas Tuchel, speaking after the match, said Watkins felt pain from the collision but initially appeared not to have suffered structural damage. The Football Association later confirmed Watkins had been ruled out of the qualifier against Latvia and returned to Villa for assessment and treatment. England will travel to Riga with a 22-player squad. A win in Latvia...