Gordon heeds England's call as no-shows hinder Carsley

While a depleted side face tricky tests against Greece and Ireland, there will be big opportunities for some

- David Hytner

According to Anthony Gordon, there was "no chance" he would miss out on the England squad because of injury, which has seemingly cast him as part of the minority. In the countdown to tonight's potentially decisive Nations League tie against Greece in Athens - and the Wembley meeting with Republic of Ireland three days later - the interim manager, Lee Carsley, has been undermined by withdrawals, among other issues.

There were an unprecedented eight on Monday, prompting a call for reinforcements and one of them - Jarrad Branthwaite, who was moved up from the under-21s - was unable to train fully and has not travelled, his place taken by the uncapped Jarell Quansah. So call it nine. And counting, because there is the fear that there will be more before the Ireland game.

Gordon could have given it a swerve. The excuse was there. He went off in the 80th minute of Newcastle's victory at Nottingham Forest on Sunday, having felt a niggle from the hip problem he has carried. His manager, Eddie Howe, made it clear afterwards that he would be a doubt for England.

But Gordon has made it and as he prepared to win his eighth cap, the way he spoke would have delighted both Carsley and the England captain, Harry Kane, who talked of it being a tough period in the season and how "maybe there has been a taking advantage of that this week [from players] ... I don't really like it." Gordon's can-do attitude was to the fore and credit, as well, to Howe. Premier League managers have withdrawn their players for less over the years.