John Stones remains "a big part" in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup plans, but the England manager will not make a "big exception" if the defender from Barnsley is not fit when the time comes to name his squad.

Gareth Southgate took Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw to consecutive European Championships, and despite neither being fit to start the tournament, both played in the final. In Shaw's case, it was the only game he started at Euro 2024.

With 87 caps including for both those finals – not to mention two European Cup finals with Manchester City – Stones is arguably even more important now than either of those two, but has only started three matches, one against League Two Salford City, since November, and is sixth-choice centre-back at his club.

He will not feature at home to Japan in England’s final friendly before the May 30 deadline for World Cup squads because of a calf injury.

"It's not ideal for John and not ideal for us," acknowledged Tuchel.

"John was gutted he had this minor incident again, not a big injury, just minor. Given the history we had to be careful. It made no sense to push him through and try stuff to make it even worse.

"He had a lot of credit with me in the bank still. He is a key player for us, as a starter or as a substitute, because of his quality first of all but also his mentality and the personality and how he is as a character.

"He's a big part in my plans still but like everyone he has to be fit once we make the team selection. There is no big exception for that.

RUNNING OUT OF TIME: John Stones has barely played for Manchester City and not at all for England in 2026 (Image: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

placeholder image — RUNNING OUT OF TIME: John Stones has barely played for Manchester City and not at all for England in 2026 (Image: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

"I saw him very strong in the FA Cup, playing for Man City in Newcastle, a very complicated match and he did so, so well.

"I think he can get away with not too many minutes but some minutes and (to) be competitive would be nice."

Harry Maguire, Stones' erstwhile central defensive partner under Southgate, has become a rival for his place in Tuchel's 26-man World Cup squad after the Sheffielder impressed in his first game for the him, Friday's 1-1 draw with Uruguay.

Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Adam Wharton also pulled out injured.

FITNESS GAMBLE: England did not feel able to start Luke Shaw until the final of the 2024 European Championship (Image: Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Reece James was not picked because of a thigh issue and Eberechi Eze and Jarrell Quansah pulled out of the original 35-man party. Fikayo Tomori, Aaron Ramsdale and Leeds United’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin were withdrawn to make way for the senior players rested on Friday.

Jude Bellingham will not be risked against Japan.

"We have players in camp that have already played more minutes than last season," explained Tuchel.

"The players needed and deserved the mental break from football. We could see the energy with which they came back.

"But it's our last camp before we leave to America, so we want to reconnect to our principles.

"It's disappointing (for players to withdraw) but I'm not upset with the players. I'm not angry.

"I got the feeling that everyone was desperate to come. Some of the injured players even stayed to do their treatment.

"It's a good spirit and that's how it should be."

If Friday was more about auditioning fringe players, this second Wembley game should be about building cohesion amongst the more established team members.