England’s preparations for their World Cup opener against Croatia have been rocked by the loss of Tino Livramento, with the Newcastle United full-back ruled out of the tournament and Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah drafted in as his replacement.

Livramento, 23, had only just returned to fitness after a thigh problem that sidelined him for the final weeks of the domestic season. He convinced England’s medical staff he was ready for the World Cup, but suffered a fresh setback in training with the national team, picking up what is understood to be a calf and hamstring issue away from the cameras.

The injury is not considered long term, yet it is serious enough for England to decide he cannot contribute during the tournament. Newcastle have confirmed that Livramento will now return to the club to continue his rehabilitation under their supervision.

With FIFA regulations allowing injury replacements up to 24 hours before a team’s first match, the Football Association moved quickly. Only players named in the original 55-man provisional list are eligible, and Chalobah, who had been on standby, was identified as the preferred option.

The Chelsea defender has been holidaying in the United States and is expected to link up with the squad swiftly. His versatility across the back line and in defensive midfield is seen as a major asset, particularly in a tournament where tactical flexibility is prized.

England manager Thomas Tuchel is understood to have considered several alternatives from the provisional pool, including Myles Lewis-Skelly, Lewis Hall and Luke Shaw. High-profile omissions such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Maguire were never seriously in contention, despite both being in the US and theoretically available.

Tuchel has been consistent in his stance that he would not bring in big names without a clear pathway to minutes on the pitch, wary of the disruption that frustrated stars can cause in a tightly knit tournament squad. That calculation appears to have worked in Chalobah’s favour, with the 24-year-old viewed as a player ready to accept a role and contribute whenever called upon.

Livramento becomes the latest casualty in what has already been a bruising build-up for several nations, and his absence trims England’s specialist options at full-back on the eve of their Group L campaign.