England midfielder Alex Scott is set for a spell on the sidelines, but the rationale behind his actions in the England camp has been revealed.

The Bournemouth man enjoyed an impressive first England start in their 7-0 win over Croatia, earning rave reviews for his performance.

Reports have now claimed that he was not in the best physical condition before the game, but chose to play in honour of his grandfather.

The 23-year-old has now left the camp to commence his rehabilitation with his club side, and is set for a spell on the sidelines.

Why Alex Scott Stayed With England After His Grandfather’s Death

Midfielder Scott was named in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the UEFA Nations League games after an impressive start to the season at the Vitality Stadium.

He had previously been called up as part of a training group ahead of the FIFA World Cup, and this represented a substantive step up for him.

The young midfielder had joined up with the rest of the squad when his grandfather passed away.

According to Sky Sports football correspondent Rob Dorsett, Scott and his grandfather enjoyed a very close relationship during his lifetime, and the youngster decided that the best way to honour the man who had greatly supported his career would be to remain with the England squad and play the games.

He was an unused substitute against Spain before making his senior England debut in the 2-0 win over Czechia.

Scott featured from the start against Croatia, where he came up against the likes of Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic in midfield.

How Alex Scott Impressed on His England Start Despite Injury

Named alongside Elliot Anderson in a double pivot, Alex Scott put on a fine performance for the Three Lions in the middle of the park in Rijeka.

He played a key role in getting things started, playing a pass into the feet of Jude Bellingham, who slipped in Harry Kane to open the scoring.

Scott went on to play for 70 minutes before his withdrawal for Everton man James Garner, and he completed 92% of his passes in his time on the pitch.

He also won four of five duels and made three tackles, a clearance, and an interception for his team.

The Bournemouth man had felt discomfort in his quadriceps before the game, but he chose to soldier on and feature in spite of the pain.

He could spend up to two months on the sidelines, with further assessment required to determine his return date.

The central midfielder has attracted interest from clubs including Chelsea, although his injury could affect any potential January transfer discussions.