England's centre-back partnership revealed amid John Stones injury concerns

Thomas Tuchel's injury worries are mounting up for England, with centre-back John Stones now part of the list of absentees.

Stones joins Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Adam Wharton among the star names unavailable to Tuchel for this international break.

England will face Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade in qualification matches for the 2026 World Cup next summer in Canada, America and Mexico.

Tuchel is looking at an experimental XI against Andorra, with the German still planning who will make his England World Cup squad.

Centre-back partnership predicted amid John Stones absence

Posting on X journalist Henry Winter [5 September], said that "when fit John Stones starts for England," and his withdrawal from the squad.

England were training at St George's Park in preparation of their match against Andorra.

Winter then predicted that "England’s likely first-choice central defence going into the World Cup will be Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi," if Stones is not fit.

Konsa and Guehi were called a "good combination," even "if neither of them yet at the level of Stones at his best – when fit."

Important international break for Thomas Tuchel

Football Insider Verdict

The loss of Stones is a blow to Tuchel, although in this international break England should be able to pick up six points without the Manchester City defender.

Guehi and Konsa have played together before in an England team, and both are seasoned Premier League centre-backs with vast experience.

Stones though is an excellent ball playing defender and would be a starter if fit.

Guehi and Konsa need to take the upcoming opportunity, especially the latter, that they deserve to be starting at the World Cup.

This international break will provide Tuchel with a good opportunity to look at a couple of players either on the fringes or not guaranteed a starting position at the tournament.