The Newcastle United defender missed the final five weeks of the Premier League season with a thigh injury but recovered in time to be named in Thomas Tuchel's squad.

However, reports say he has suffered a calf issue during a training session on Sunday and, with England's World Cup campaign due to start on Wednesday, he has been ruled out.

Newcastle confirmed he will return to the club to continue his rehabilitation.

As such, Chalobah has been called up in his place, with England meeting the cut-off deadline of 24 hours before their first match of the tournament to name the replacement.

Chalobah, who has one England cap and played under Tuchel at Chelsea, will join up with the rest of the squad at their Kansas City camp after the game against Croatia.

The Chelsea defender has not featured for England since June 2025, playing 90 minutes against Senegal, but has since only been named on the bench by Tuchel in World Cup qualifying.

Chalobah made 47 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions last season (after the Club World Cup), with 41 of those from the start.

He netted three goals for the Blues and, at the other end, helped them keep 12 clean sheets, the joint-most of any outfield player (level with Marc Cucurella).

After its Group L opener against Croatia, England will play Ghana and Panama.