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Burnley defender James Tarkowski said he made a “tough” but right decision to remove himself from England ’s standby list for the World Cup 2018 in Russia 2018 to undergo a hernia operation.
Tarkowski was part of manager Gareth Southgate’s five-man reserve list after rising to prominence during a stellar Premier League season which earned him a first international cap in a 1-1 draw against Italy in March.
“I had been struggling for a while with it and I knew at some point I had to get it done,” the 25-year-old told Burnley’s website.
Show all 25 1 /25Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Tunisia vs England: Player ratings We run the rule over the two teams.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Tunisia
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Mouez Hassen - 5 out of 10 The young goalkeeper made a couple of tremendous early saves before disaster struck with injury and England's opener.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Dylan Bronn - 6 Pinned back for long periods, he made one impressive burst down the flank that had the England defence panicked.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Syam Ben Youssef - 6 Defended staunchly throughout by whatever means he deemed necessary.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Yassine Meriah - 6 Another who gave everything in attempting to keep England out, but ultimately came up short.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Ali Maaloul - 4 The left-back struggled to keep pace with Trippier, Sterling and Loftus-Cheek on a difficult night.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Ellyes Skhiri - 5 Found it difficult when England committed men forward, but recycled possession neatly on the occasions Tunisia took charge of the ball.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Fakhereedine Ben Youssef - 6 Made the most of Walker's challenge to win Tunisia's penalty, he showed a willingness to get into the box when needed.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Ferjani Sassi - 7 Tunisia's goalscorer, he was spot on from 12 yards and did much to protect his defence in the barrage that followed.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Naim Sliti - 6 The most impressive Tunisian from an attacking perspective although he was wayward with one shot and was ultimately sacrificed for a more defensively-minded player.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Anice Badri - 4 Overrun in the middle, he offered little cover for his defence and even less support to the forwards.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Wahbi Khazri - 4 The Sunderland player struggled to make an impact up front before making way for Khalifa late on.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings England
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Jordan Pickford - 6 Close to keeping out a decent spotkick on an otherwise quiet evening for the young goalkeeper.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Kyle Walker - 6 Fielded in that unfamiliar centre-back role, he was perhaps unfortunate to concede a first half penalty. Otherwise steady and still threatened on a couple of those trademark runs.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings John Stones - 7 More of an aerial presence in the opposition box than his own, his thumping early header led to Kane's opener.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Harry Maguire - 7 A couple of moments of lapsed concentration, but the defender continues to impress on the international stage. Happy to carry the ball forward when England needed creative inspiration.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Jordan Henderson - 7 An influential figure in midfield, who consistently picked out Trippier and Young on either wing with short and long passes.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Kieran Trippier - 8 A constant threat, both with set-pieces and when he bombarded down the right. A cool head in defence too.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Jesse Lingard - 7 His work rate and movement was exceptional, his finishing less so. Faded in the second half.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Dele Alli - 5 Appeared to pick up a knock early on that hampered his movement, but remained on until the 80th minute.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Ashley Young - 5 Still looks awkward in the left wing-back position, constantly cutting back on to his right foot. Made some questionable decisions in his defending.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Raheem Sterling - 6 Began the game full of pace and intent, but lost belief after a couple of early misses and was eventually subbed.
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Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Harry Kane - 9 Two goals from the England captain, the second an injury time winner to show off his goalpoaching prowess on the international stage.
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“It was tough with the England one because I was quite new to it and it never looks well when someone just pulls out of the squad, especially before they even turn up.
“But I feel it was the right one to make going into next season.”
Tarkowski will be hoping to regain fitness ahead of Burnley’s first foray into Europe for 51 years after their seventh-placed finish earned them a spot in the Europa League second qualifying round. The first leg is on July 26.
England opened their World Cup campaign with a 2-1 victory over Tunisia in a Group G encounter on Monday.
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