Rico Lewis recalled by England for first time in two years

📰 Manchester City full-back Rico Lewis has been recalled to the senior England squad for the first time in almost two years, replacing injured club-mate Nico O'Reilly. 📌 Key points 🩹 O'Reilly withdrew injured before the win over Croatia. 🔁 Thomas Tuchel reversed his no-replacement stance to call up Lewis. 🧢 Lewis helped the Under-21s qualify for the 2027 Euros. 📈 He has five caps, the last in November 2024. 🗓️ England host Czechia at Wembley on 6 October. 📝 What happened 🩹 Nico O'Reilly left the England camp and returned to Manchester with a knock before the Croatia match. Tuchel described it as minor, and England initially said no replacement would be called up. 🔁 Ahead of the Czechia game, however, Tuchel changed course and promoted Lewis from the Under-21s. During this break Lewis played at both right-back and left-back for Lee Carsley's side as they sealed a place at the 2027 Under-21 Euros. 📈 Lewis has five senior caps. His most recent came in November 2024, a 3-0 win over Greece in which he played at left-back. He is now the third City player in the squad, alongside Elliot Anderson and Marc Guéhi. 🗣️ Sports Mole called the decision a controversial U-turn, pointing out that Lewis has played just 177 minutes in three club appearances this season, while alternatives such as Tyrick Mitchell, with two league goals, and Luke Shaw were available. 📊 By the numbers • 5 senior caps (last: v Greece, November 2024) • 3 club appearances, 177 minutes this season • England 7-0 Croatia (Kane and Saka two each) 🔭 Why it matters England beat Czechia 2-0 in Prague on 29 September and then thrashed Croatia 7-0 to sit second in League A Group 3. The return fixture at Wembley on 6 October (7.45pm UK) closes this international window. If he gets minutes, Lewis has a chance to end a two-year wait and make his case under Tuchel.