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The FA today confirmed that Ashley Young would miss the final qualifier against Poland on Tuesday with a rib injury.
The same injury kept the experienced left back out of the 4-1 win against Montenegro on Friday night. Fortunately for England, the drop off to Leighton Baines is minuscule, if there is any drop off at all.
The Everton left-back put in an impressive display against Montenegro looking composed at the back as well as dangerous going forward. Speaking to the media on Sunday, Baines labelled the game against Poland as the biggest game of his international career:
'Friday was probably my biggest game for England and this will be bigger,' he said on Sunday.
'We know on Friday how important it was to keep it in our own hands. The job is half done and we have to finish it off. We know it will be a tough game.
'There will be a good crowd and a good occasion. All the players at this level are accustomed to it. It’s important we go and get the right result.
'We’ve approached both games like any other. We haven’t deviated from what we do. No special plans. We prepare for the game and focus on what we need to do.'
Baines will receive his 21st cap on Tuesday when he lines up against Poland, and if he continues to perform at the level he has been performing at thus far, there will be plenty more in the pipeline.