Trent Alexander-Arnold is still waiting to return to the pitch for England.The Real Madrid right-back was recalled to the squad for the Three Lions‘ four Nations League games during this international break, but he had to make do with a place on the bench for Saturday’s frustrating 3-2 defeat to Spain at Wembley.Alexander-Arnold hasn’t played for England for almost 16 monthsGettyTrent’s long wait to add to England capsThomas Tuchel opted to start Alexander-Arnold‘s former Liverpool teammate Jarell Quansah on the right of his back four, and Quansah played the entire game as Alexander-Arnold watched on.Left out of England’s World Cup squad this summer, Alexander-Arnold hasn’t featured for his country since a World Cup qualifier against Andorra in June last year.The 27-year-old is at least in contention to add to his 34 caps to date in England’s upcoming matches, though.The Three Lions continue their Nations League campaign away to Czechia on Tuesday before a trip to Croatia on Saturday.They then entertain Czechia the following Tuesday as the extra-long international break wraps up.There ought to be opportunities for Alexander-Arnold given the inevitable need to rotate, but it does seem Quansah is Tuchel’s preferred choice at right-back for the time being.Tuchel praises ‘top class’ QuansahExplaining his defensive tactics after the loss to Spain, the England boss said: “We needed Jarell Quansah’s speed and ability to think as a central defender.“He was top class at the World Cup; he was top class in training this week; he was excellent in this game.”Speaking after bringing Alexander-Arnold back into the fold, Tuchel insisted ‘the door is always open’ for players to be recalled.“They had a good start to the season,” Tuchel said of Alexander-Arnold and fellow returning star Cole Palmer – who subsequently withdrew from the squad.Tuchel has kept faith with Quansah at right-back after the Bayer Leverkusen player impressed there at the World CupGetty“They never did something wrong. We just chose different players.“So now it is a new competition. Some players, some positions, have more injuries. Some have less injuries. Cole has his starts that he always had but he has his numbers back – he has his assists back, he has decisive goals back – so that is why he is in the squad.“I think he has a point to prove, and the same goes for Trent. He was never off the list. He was never non-selectable for us, and it is his chance to show, come to camp and be the best version of himself.”However, Tuchel later called out Palmer for, in his eyes, ‘missing too many opportunities’ to represent England.The Chelsea forward also missed the World Cup after a disappointing 2025/26 campaign but has been in superb form early this season.Manchester United and Republic of Ireland legend Roy Keane also criticised Palmer.“I like Palmer; he’s a talented boy,” he told ITV, “but he’s got far too many bad habits, for me.”