Arbeloa provides update on Josh King after England call-up

Alvaro Arbeloa provided an update on Fulham midfielder Josh King after the teenager went off with a knock in the 1-1 draw with Newcastle.

King, who has been one of Fulham’s star performers in the Premier League this season was taken off with an injury in the 72nd minute for Cesar Palacios, who was involved in both the Newcastle and Cottagers goals.

It seemed a desperately unfortunate time to be injured, having finally earned a deserved senior call-up to the England squad by Thomas Tuchel.

Arbeloa was asked after the match by BBC Match of the Day about King’s condition and he was unable to provide any conclusive updates but did say that the teenager did not appear to be seriously injured.

"I think [he is okay], I think it is nothing serious. We'll see tomorrow,” Arbeloa said

“I think he deserves [his England call-up]. How he's performing is unbelievable, 19 years old, he wants the ball. His character, his ambition, and I think he's an incredible player.”

King received a first call-up to be involved with the England squad in the summer, when he joined Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

It seemed that he would be called up in the lengthy international break between September and October, with Tuchel even name-checking him, but King was kept with the U21s.

That is no longer, with Tuchel wanting to have a look at King on the field for the senior side in competitive matches, as England face Croatia and Spain in the Nations League.

King’s rise from potential star to one of the best young players in the Premier League has been phenomenal over the last 15 months.

Last season, King showed much promise and was desperately unfortunate not to have a goal away at Chelsea after a questionable VAR decision ruled against him at Stamford Bridge.

Eventually, the goal did come for King, against Burnley in what was a solid if unspectacular first season in the Premier League.

This season, King has been one of the stars of the Fulham side, no longer battling out with Emile Smith Rowe for a spot in the team.

Arbeloa clearly rates him highly, and for good reason, given his goalscoring and creating this season for the Cottagers.

Now Fulham fans will hope that King will do the same for the Three Lions as he does for the Whites.