England star Alex Scott suffers cruel injury blow after impressive first start

· Mirror

Alex Scott shone on his full debut for England, helping them to a record-breaking 7-0 win in Croatia, but the Bournemouth midfielder is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a tendon injury

Alex Scott is out of England's Nations League clash with Czechia - and will be out for weeks. Bournemouth midfielder Scott will go for scans on a tendon injury which he felt during England's win over Croatia.

The hope is it will be weeks rather than a long-term injury, but is a major blow for both England and Bournemouth. Scott made a hugely impressive first start for England against Croatia and was hoping to build on that against Czechia.

But he felt it during the game and underwent treatment as England flew back to the UK after the Croatia game. The scans are expected to confirm an injury which will keep him out for club and country for a period of weeks.

Scott, 23, grabbed his chance with both hands on Saturday, helping set up Harry Kane's opening goal with a smart pass to Jude Bellingham. The ex-Bristol City star was called up to England's pre-tournament camp in Florida before the World Cup in June and his omission from Thomas Tuchel's final squad made him 'hungry' to prove himself.

> "It gave me more hunger but I've said there's so many top players for this country, it's a tough squad to get into," Scott acknowledged. "There was no bad feelings about not going to the World Cup, I went to the prep camp, I wanted to do that and learn as much as I can and it helped me coming into this camp and starting to play games.

> "Off the pitch, the stuff that I learned there, being around the group, it's made me feel way more comfortable. It can be challenging but for me it's not been at all. The lads and the group we've got here have made it so comfortable for me.

> "Leading up to the game I've been on a few camps now, they make it easy for you and make you feel as comfortable and confident as possible. I just want to go and play my normal football. I spoke to a few of the lads before the game and they said exactly that, 'Go on and do what you do for your club, be confident, be brave'."

Tuchel was impressed with Scott, who's given the injured Declan Rice 'high-level' competition for his place. "We need performances like this," the England boss affirmed post-match.

> "This is just the nature of it. We will not survive on two central midfielders. The more the better - and it's always about the guys who are in camp. Declan knows about his importance, and he's one of the very best midfielders in Europe.

> "Nothing will change that. But it's exactly what we need. We need more, more, more, more variety. We need more, more, more options. Then it's always about the guys who are in camp. Alex was in the highest level."

England will be looking to make it three wins in a row when they host Czechia on Tuesday at Wembley. They'll also be a hoping for a favour from Croatia, who welcome group leaders Spain.

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