Thomas Tuchel said he is "worried" for Noni Madueke after the winger was forced off during the first half of England’s 1-1 friendly draw with Uruguay following a challenge the manager described as "on the edge".
Madueke was seen walking out of Wembley with his left knee in a brace, following a 37th-minute challenge from Rodrigo Aguirre. The 24-year-old Arsenal forward was immediately substituted after treatment. There are as yet no details as to the extent of the injury.
“I'm worried, of course, because I think he was a difference-maker today,” Tuchel said of the Arsenal winger. “He started well, he was full of energy, he was ready to go.
“And I think against a team like Uruguay, who relies on one-against-ones, to isolate them there and to go in one-against-ones from every minute out there, the spaces open up and he could have been a key player for us, which he is.
"Very sad and upset and hopefully it's not a big injury."
Tuchel also revealed that John Stones was close to a start, only to feel an issue with his calf. The manager still sees the centre-half as a potentially key player for England, but fitness issues have curtailed his season. Stones has only made 15 appearances for Manchester City this campaign, and just seven in the Premier League.
”He's obviously very upset and at the moment he gets my full support because it helps him more than putting more pressure,” Tuchel said.
“He was ready to play for City in the last weeks. He was ready to play. He played in the Champions League and he played in the FA Cup, but he was not used in the league.
“But he played enough for me to be important for us. So strong in training again, like every time I see him. I think he's a world-class player. But he felt again, I think the calf. We were then very careful and said we don't take any risk.
“We did a reintegration, he felt it again in the last training. So no risk at the moment. But he has a lot of credit in the bank with me. So let's hope that he gets fit because it's most important that he finds his confidence."
Tuchel, meanwhile, revealed he likes the mid-half water breaks, that have proved somewhat controversial for the upcoming World Cup as they are set to be used for advertisements in certain countries.
The England manager said they actually requested one for Friday, but Uruguay rejected it. “I think I like them. I can speak to my players. Get a little bit of quality time with my players and can encourage them or change something,” he said.
“Does it change the game? Yes, 100 per cent. It's almost in quarters. We asked for a water break today but Uruguay denied it. They didn't want us to have it.
“It gives us just a chance for interaction, for giving a bit of advice, for encouragement but also to the opponents. I think it's necessary and, me as a coach, I will make use of it."
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