England are dealt injury blow on the eve of Andorra World Cup qualifier as striker flies home with thigh problem

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has flown home injured from England’s World Cup qualifying camp in Spain.

Watkins will play no part in tomorrow’s qualifier against Andorra at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium after feeling tightness at the top of his thigh. 

He is also out of Tuesday’s friendly with Senegal at the City Ground in Nottingham.

The 29-year-old was hoping to add to his 18 caps and five goals but has been unable to train filly during England’s week long camp in Girona. 

He will not be replaced in the squad.

In Friday’s press-conference, Tuchel said Jordan Pickford is his No 1 goalkeeper for now but has warned that the race for World Cup selection has begun, amid pressure from Dean Henderson.

He said: ‘Jordan has been in goal for a long, long time. He earned his place with consistent performances at a high level. Jordan trains at the highest level and we’re very, very happy with him.

‘He’s doing everything to keep his place because he feels that Dean stepped up and found another gear. Dean got a vital title for Palace (the FA Cup) and he was a big figure. This helped his confidence a lot.

‘Then we have the very young James Trafford who played a fantastic, record-breaking campaign with Burnley and got clean sheets.

‘Hopefully he can prove himself in the Premier League next season and then the race is on. It is a fight for every position, there is no exception for goalkeepers.’