Bournemouth are reportedly unhappy with England’s handling of Alex Scott after the midfielder suffered a thigh injury that could rule him out for up to eight weeks.
Scott has withdrawn from the England squad for Tuesday’s Nations League clash with the Czech Republic after sustaining a quadriceps problem.
The 23-year-old felt discomfort before Saturday’s 7-0 victory over Croatia but still played 70 minutes in central midfield alongside Elliot Anderson before being substituted.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel described the injury as “a strange one” and insisted there had been no indication that playing Scott represented a significant risk.
“I’m very sad about it. He trained in full before Croatia, did extra work after the training sessions, we knew he was in treatment but there were only green lights from him and the medics,” Tuchel said.
“When we were aware there was slight discomfort during the match and asked if he wanted to come off he said no. After the match, he said he could have played 90 minutes and didn’t feel an injury.
“Even before the scan he didn’t feel injured so it’s a strange one. There was zero risk taken from our side.”
However, Bournemouth are understood to be frustrated with how the situation was managed, particularly because England were aware Scott had been receiving treatment for the thigh issue.
The midfielder is now expected to spend between six and eight weeks on the sidelines.
Scott’s absence comes at a difficult time for Bournemouth, who face a demanding domestic and European schedule.
He could miss nine matches between 10 October and 8 November, with the Cherries playing in the Premier League, Europa League and Carabao Cup.
Alongside their weekend league fixtures, Bournemouth are scheduled to play in midweek for four consecutive weeks. Their upcoming matches include Europa League encounters with Sturm Graz, AC Milan and Sparta Prague, as well as a Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Aston Villa.
Scott had only recently established himself at senior international level.
He made his England debut in a 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic before earning his first start four days later against Croatia.
Tuchel was full of praise for the Bournemouth midfielder following that performance.
“First start and what a start, what a performance,” Tuchel said. “He is so smooth on the ball, his decision making is at the highest level.
“He plays with so much confidence. He is so active, so confident. The work rate off the ball.
“He is just the complete package. He gave us a lot of mobility and a lot of variety and work rate in the centre of the pitch.”
Arsenal defender Ezri Konsa has also been ruled out of the Czech Republic match at Wembley and will return to his club for treatment.
Tuchel described the 28-year-old’s injury problems as “nothing major” but said England were unwilling to take an unnecessary risk.
“Ezri felt discomfort when he came into camp, played with it against Spain and it got a bit worse so he stayed in camp and tried everything for the match against the Czech Republic and it came too soon,” Tuchel said.
“Unfortunately, he got another hit on the quad and that caused a light trauma and we decided not to let him play through this pain, so he left camp to get treatment for both his issues now.”
Scott joins French forward Eli Junior Kroupi on Bournemouth’s injury list, with the 20-year-old still unavailable after suffering a foot problem during pre-season.
The Cherries sit 17th in the Premier League and remain without a league victory after five matches, having drawn three and lost two.
Marco Rose’s side have enjoyed better results in cup competitions, beating Lincoln to progress in the EFL Cup before securing a 2-1 victory away to Real Sociedad on their European debut.
Bournemouth return to Premier League action against Chelsea on Saturday before facing Sunderland, Manchester United, Leeds and Ipswich ahead of the November international break.
Scott’s potential six-to-eight-week absence therefore represents a significant setback for Rose, particularly after the midfielder’s impressive start to his England career.
