Newcastle winger says turning up for national team was never in doubt for him despite an injury before the camp

According to Anthony Gordon, there was “no chance” he would miss out on the England squad because of injury, which has seemingly cast him as part of the minority. In the countdown to Thursday night’s potentially decisive Nations League tie against Greece in Athens – and the Wembley meeting with Republic of Ireland three days later – the interim manager, Lee Carsley, has been undermined by withdrawals, among other issues.

There were an unprecedented eight on Monday, prompting a call for reinforcements and one of them – Jarrad Branthwaite, who was moved up from the under-21s – was unable to train fully and has not travelled, his place taken by the uncapped Jarell Quansah. So call it nine. And counting, because there is the fear that there will be more before the Ireland game.