Tuchel not disappointed with England players who withdrew from squad

LONDON, March 30 : England manager Thomas Tuchel said on Monday he was not disappointed by players withdrawing from his squad ahead of the friendly against Japan at Wembley, describing the absences as an inevitable consequence of heavy workloads late in the club season.

After drawing 1-1 with Uruguay in a friendly on Friday, eight players left the camp due to health and injury issues.

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, defender Fikayo Tomori and striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin were among those to leave. Defender John Stones returned to Manchester City after sustaining an injury prior to Friday's match, while Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace and Arsenal winger Noni Madueke were injured during the game.

Madueke's Arsenal teammates Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have also returned to the North London club.

"Disappointed but not with the players, with the fact we want to have everyone in good spirits and health," Tuchel told reporters. "It's the reality of end of the season and the end March, the reality of having players in European matches and more than just one competition with all the cups going on.

"We have players in camp that have already played more minutes than last season, so there is some concern. The players needed and deserved the mental break from football. We could see the energy with which they came back into camp and to reconnect now in the new environment.

"We want them to perform in their clubs but the reality is it's our last camp before we leave to America, so we want to reconnect to our principles. It's disappointing but I'm not upset with the players, I'm not angry.

"I got the feeling that everyone was desperate to come. Some of the injured players even stayed to do their treatment, that shows they want to be around the