Aston Villa star left out of England squad after Thomas Tuchel makes 'discomfort' claim
Ollie Watkins has been left out of England's squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers with boss Thomas Tuchel claiming the Villa striker is currently "playing through discomfort".
The 29-year-old scored on his most recent Three Lions appearance against Wales last month but then suffered a knee injury when colliding with a post which forced his early departure from the squad.
Watkins, who has appeared in all five of Villa's matches since, is enduring one of his worst runs of form for the club having netted just once in 15 appearances this season.
But speaking on Friday, Three Lions boss Tuchel suggested he is currently managing an injury.
“We understood and we could observe when we watched Ollie closely he is playing through discomfort," he said.
“It simply did not make much sense to bring him into camp in this condition. We opted to give him this break to get treatment and be back in full physical capacity and best shape to fight for a place again in March.”
Watkins has scored six goals in 20 international appearances and been a regular member of England's squads over the past three years.
His Villa team-mates Ezri Konsa and Morgan Rogers have been included in the latest squad, with Tuchel also recalling Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham for matches against Serbia and Latvia.
Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton are in the 25-man group, while Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott has been handed a first senior call-up.
