International break injury tracker: Which Premier League players withdrew from squads? Who has picked up knocks? Latest on Arsenal, Liverpool and more
Updated 30/03/2026 at 20:33 GMT+1
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International football is back in the spotlight for the next few weeks with nations preparing for the upcoming World Cup finals this summer. However, the international break can be a nightmare for clubs if players return from duty having picked up a knock heading into the business end of the season. TNT Sports will keep you updated with the latest injury news during this period.
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International football is taking centre stage at the moment, with nations having an eye on the upcoming World Cup finals.
For some players, it is the last chance to impress the national team managers, while others are competing in crucial play-off matches and looking to book a spot at the tournament this summer.
However, these games can be a nightmare for clubs and supporters, with some players returning from international duty with new injuries or fatigue ahead of the business end of the campaign.
There are a number of Premier League players who have withdrawn from their international squads as they seek to get back to full fitness.
But who are the players from English football's biggest clubs who have not travelled during the March international break? And are there any players who have sustained injuries during this time?
TNT Sports provides you with the latest injury news from this international fixture window.
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Arsenal
Noni Madueke hobbled off in the opening period of England's friendly with Uruguay at Wembley on Friday and was seen wearing a knee brace as he left the stadium.
The winger was on the receiving end of a heavy challenge as he took aim inside the area, and despite his best efforts to carry on, was forced to make way before the break.
Madueke left the England camp alongside Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, who are returning to The Gunners for "medical assessment" according to the FA.
According to reporting by The Athletic, Madueke is a doubt for Arsenal's UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg against Sporting CP, as well as their clash in the last eight of the Emirates FA Cup against Southampton, the latter of which is live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
England boss Thomas Tuchel confirmed before the friendly with Japan on Tuesday that Rice had been playing through pain for some time.
”He feels a discomfort since quite a while, and he’s playing through it," Tuchel said. "He is just now on the edge, where he thinks, ‘Does this make sense, what I’m doing here, to push through with 70% [fitness] and push myself and push myself?’"
Martin Zubimendi has also withdrawn from the Spain squad, due to "discomfort in his right knee". The Spanish FA stated that Arsenal's medical staff have been "informed of the situation".
Following their defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, Arsenal saw a number of players pull out of international duty.
Central defenders Gabriel and William Saliba withdrew from their respective squads, while Eberechi Eze, Leandro Trossard and Jurrien Timber were also deemed unavailable.
Club captain Martin Odegaard is still recovering from an injury which has ruled him out of selection for Norway, while Mikel Merino is also out.
Arsenal fans will be hopeful that Ben White can avoid any issues during England's second friendly against Japan.
Defender Piero Hincapie withdrew from the Ecuador squad before their friendly with the Netherlands on Tuesday after undergoing medical tests.
Hincapie started played 72 minutes of Ecuador’s 1-1 draw against Morocco on Friday, before making way for AC Milan defender Pervis Estupinan.
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Man Utd
Before the international break, Manchester United played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Bournemouth as they edged closer to sealing UEFA Champions League qualification for the first time since 2023.
However, the draw came at a cost, with Bryan Mbeumo withdrawing from the Cameroon squad, while Benjamin Sesko was also made unavailable for international duty as he continues to recover "from an issue", according to the club.
Despite recently recovering from an illness, defender Noussair Mazraoui will travel with Morocco while Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo return to the England set-up.
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Liverpool
It has not been the best period for Liverpool and their supporters.
Not only did they suffer a damaging defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion before the break, but club legend Mohamed Salah then announced that he would be leaving Anfield at the end of the season on a free transfer.
Head coach Arne Slot has also not been helped by a number of players sustaining injuries as The Reds attempt to end their campaign with silverware as they are still competing in the Emirates FA Cup and Champions League.
Salah and Alisson Becker missed the Brighton defeat due to injury, which ruled both players out of international duty.
Times journalist Paul Joyce has reported that Salah is expected to be available for selection in Liverpool's mammoth FA Cup tie against Manchester City on Saturday, which will be shown live on TNT Sports and HBO Max with coverage starting from 11:30am UK time.
Although Hugo Ekitike limped off in the early stages of that Brighton game, the forward still travelled to Massachusetts for France's clash with Brazil.
Liverpool fans would have been pleased with what they saw, though, as the striker scored a crucial goal in a 2-1 win.
Elsewhere, in an interesting case, Federico Chiesa was sent home after being called up to Italy with head coach Gennaro Gattuso saying he had some "physical issues".
He missed Italy's 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in their play-off semi-final as a result.
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Newcastle
It has also been a tough period for Newcastle United. After suffering an exit from the Champions League at the hands of Barcelona, they returned to league action with a crushing last-gasp loss to bitter rivals Sunderland.
Midfielder Sandro Tonali missed the derby defeat, but he didn't withdraw from international duty with Italy, producing a goal and an assist against Northern Ireland in their play-off semi-final in Bergamo.
Newcastle skipper Bruno Guimaraes was unavailable for Brazil's 2-1 defeat against France after failing to return to full fitness in time for the clash in Massachusetts.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was among the departures from the England squad ahead of the Japan friendly.
Elsewhere
Manchester City's John Stones and Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton have both also left Thomas Tuchel’s England camp.
Stones picked up an issue in training, while Wharton suffered a knock against Uruguay so both have returned to their clubs to recover.
Finally, Raphinha is out for approximately five weeks with the hamstring injury sustained in a friendly against France.
The Barcelona star is set to miss their entire UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid plus at least five league games including one against Diego Simeone’s side.
He could also be absent for El Clasico in May plus one or both legs of their European semi-final if they make it that far, where Arsenal could be lying in wait.
Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior suffered an injury scare while away with Brazil, missing training on Friday in the wake of a 2-1 loss to France on Thursday night.
After initial concerns over his availability to face Croatia, however, reports say that he is expected to be fit for the game in Orlando, Florida on Tuesday night.
Sky Sports News is reporting that Jude Belllingham will play no part against Japan, as Tuchel "does not want to take a risk with the Real Madrid midfielder".
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