Tuchel would never rule out players not in top flight

England are preparing to play Croatia successful the Nations League successful Rijeka connected Saturday (17:00 BST).

Speaking to the media connected Friday, Tuchel said the City verdict was a "big subject" successful the England camp.

Asked if helium would prime players not playing successful the apical flight, the manager said: "There is ever a possibility.

"I would ever effort to prime the champion squad for the camp, for the occasion, for the tournament.

"I volition ne'er regularisation retired that due to the fact that they don't play successful the apical formation successful their country. We request to look astatine it lawsuit by case."

All 24 players successful the existent England squad play successful apical leagues for their clubs and it is precise antithetic for a subordinate to correspond the Three Lions if they are not successful a apical division.

However, James Trafford was successful Tuchel squads successful March and June 2025 portion inactive successful the Championship with Burnley, but helium was an unused substitute connected those occasions and did not triumph a afloat headdress until helium returned to Manchester City.

Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone was the past subordinate to correspond England portion playing successful the Championship, for West Brom successful 2021, portion Kalvin Phillips - past astatine Leeds - made his debut for England earlier helium had played successful the Premier League.

Asked astir his players discussing the City verdict, Tuchel said: "We had immoderate clip disconnected betwixt the matches and it is simply a large subject. Everyone speaks astir it, truthful determination is nary different dependable needed

"I americium gladsome to beryllium not that voice. No-one needs my fractional cognition connected the topic.

"Of course, the players speech astir it. City players speech astir it. We speech with them but lone briefly.

"They are acceptable to spell tomorrow, that's what they amusement connected the transportation and successful camp. But of course, it's a large taxable successful the camp."