Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins withdraws from England squad, Harry Kane steps up recovery ahead of World Cup qualifier against Latvia

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After captain Harry Kane missed the 3-0 international friendly win against Wales, England manager Thomas Tuchel has another injury problem to think about in the striker department, with Ollie Watkins being forced to withdraw from the squad ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Latvia. England will qualify for next summer's tournament if victorious in Riga.

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Ollie Watkins has been ruled out of England's World Cup qualifier against Latvia on Tuesday due to injury.

He has been unable to recover from a knock he picked up in the 3-0 friendly win against Wales at Wembley and has returned to Aston Villa to continue his rehabilitation.

Watkins was replaced at half-time after colliding with the post when trying to connect with a cross, but manager Thomas Tuchel said he was "ok" when asked about his condition after the match.

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The Villa forward scored England’s second goal against Craig Bellamy’s side, in the latest show of evidence that he is regaining his form.

Watkins failed to score in the first seven games of the season for his club, but ended his drought in Villa’s 3-1 Premier League win against Fulham in September.

He then showed his skills as a poacher for his country, turning the ball into the net at the back post to double England’s lead against Wales.

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Watkins is the latest member of the England squad to miss out on the trip to Riga after defender Jarell Quansah was deemed unfit for the match.

Quansah is now back with his club - Bayer Leverkusen - after also suffering an injury against Wales.

Thomas Tuchel has not called up any replacements, despite the two withdrawals.

Captain Harry Kane trained with the squad - having missed the Wales match - ahead of the flight to Latvia, and he is expected to be fit to play.

The Bayern Munich striker suffered an ankle injury during his club’s 3-0 win against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga just before the international break.

Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon moved to a more central position after Watkins was replaced at Wembley, while Marcus Rashford provides another option as a striker for Tuchel - if needed.

England’s final preparations for their latest World Cup qualifier took place at Tottenham’s training ground and Spurs youngster Dane Scarlett trained with the senior squad - but he will not stay with the group.

If they beat Latvia, England will secure their place at next summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

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