Jarrad Branthwaite's hopes of another England cap this week have been dashed by injury.

The Cumbrian defender has pulled out of the Three Lions squad to face Greece and the Republic of Ireland.

Everton star Branthwaite, from Wigton, had been called up from the Under-21s following injuries in interim boss Lee Carsley's original 26-man squad.

But it was announced on Wednesday night that the 22-year-old is not travelling to Greece for Thursday's game and will instead return to Everton.

His place in the squad has been taken by Liverpool's Jarell Quansah.

It is the latest blow in an injury-interrupted season for highly-rated Branthwaite, who has been restricted to just four appearances for Everton so far in 2024/25.

England announced: "Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah has been added to the England senior squad.

"Quansah replaces Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite who failed to overcome an injury from the weekend and will return to his club."

Everton said the move was a "precautionary measure" with Branthwaite set for treatment to a "minor groin issue" arising from the Toffees' 0-0 draw with West Ham United on Saturday.

Branthwaite, who won his first senior England cap against Bosnia & Herzegovina in the summer, had been one of three Cumbrians and former Carlisle United academy players in Carsley's squad for the UEFA Nations League double-header.

Cumbrian keepers Dean Henderson, left, and James Trafford, right, training with England at St George's Park on WednesdayCumbrian keepers Dean Henderson, left, and James Trafford, right, training with England at St George's Park on Wednesday (Image: PA)

Goalkeepers Dean Henderson and James Trafford, from Whitehaven and Greysouthen respectively, remain with the Three Lions squad, Trafford having joined Branthwaite in being called up from the Under-21s earlier this week.

England have been hit by a number of withdrawals from Carsley's original squad, which is his last before new head coach Thomas Tuchel takes charge in January.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Levi Colwill, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Cole Palmer, Aaron Ramsdale, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have all pulled out, with Morgan Rogers, Tino Livramento and Jarrod Bowen joining Trafford and Quansah in their place.

England face Greece at the Olympic Stadium in Athens on Thursday at 7.45pm UK time, with the Ireland clash at Wembley on Sunday at 5pm.