England squad announcement LIVE: Gareth Southgate makes tough decisions ahead of March fixtures
The England manager has made some big calls in his first squad since the World Cup
Gareth Southgate insists there was no reason not to include Ivan Toney in his England squad, despite a potential ban hanging over the player’s head. The in-form Brentford striker is in Southgate’s first squad since the World Cup quarter-final exit to France in December for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine this month.
But Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling, who missed his side’s 3-1 win at Leicester at the weekend, is ruled out of the opening qualifying matches due to injury. Toney is still waiting for a Football Association verdict after being charged with 262 breaches of FA gambling rules, with a lengthy suspension possible.
He missed out for the tournament in Qatar - having been in the squad for Nations League games against Germany and Italy in September without playing. Toney’s inclusion means Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, with six goals in his last seven games, misses out.
Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker, being investigated by police after allegedly exposing himself in a bar, is included in the 25-man squad. Along with Sterling, Ben White, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady and Callum Wilson are absent having all gone to the World Cup.
Follow live updates as Gareth Southgate names his England squad .
England squad announcement: Latest updates
One selection question one everyone’s lips is will Gareth Southgate maintain his faith in Harry Maguire.
The Manchester United defender has spent most minutes this season on the bench for his club but Southgate picked and started him at the World Cup.
Maguire has not seen more minutes upon his return from Qatar and so many are questionning whether Southgate should pick him.
The player himself has been honest about his position at United this season. “I’m the club captain and I have a big responsibility on and off the pitch so it was nice to get ion and help the lads,” he said. “The manager has been asked numerous times about my role in interviews and he tells me honestly that he believes in me, but this is football.
“The lads who are playing and starting, Raphael is playing really well and we’ve seen the manager’s ideas, what he wants, and he does like a left-footed centre-back playing. So it’s high competition for places, but this is Manchester United. We want to win trophies, big trophies, and to do that you need competition.
“The manager speaks to me daily, he really respects me and believes that I’m a top centre-half with all the attributes to play in his team. But also he understands that the players who are playing – and I understand that the players who are playing – are playing very well.”
England squad announcement: Latest updates
The squad announcement is for England’s Euro qualifiers this month against Italy and Ukraine.
The team will compete against Italy on the 23 March and face Ukraine three days later. It will be the first time England have played since they lost to France in the World Cup in December.
Players like captain Harry Kane and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka are expected to make the cut but reports suggest Gareth Southgate could experiment in other areas.
The international break for the qualifiers is the last one in the calendar before the Premier League resumes for the end of the season.
England squad announcement: Latest updates
Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi has said he believes Solly March and Lewis Dunk deserve a spot in the England team.
March has never played for England and Dunk only has one cap.
“I think Solly should go in the national team,” De Zerbi said. “It is not my work and I respect the coach, but he deserves to go. Dunk to.
“I think he is a complete player. He can improve in scoring but I’m pleased for the performance of Solly.”
England squad announcement: Latest updates
There are always debates in the run-up to squad announcements of who deserves a spot. There are plenty of players giving Gareth Southgate a good problem with many England players in fine form at the moment.
We put together a list of some contenders for the Euro qualifiers and why they could find their way into the team.
Have a read of who could be on Southgate’s list:
Who deserves a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad?
Gareth Southgate has several big decisions to make as he announces his first squad since the World Cup
England squad announcement: Latest updates
Everyone is waiting by their phones, laptops or other devices to get a glimpse of Gareth Southgate’s England team as soon as it drops.
We will bring you all the information as it comes but just so you can set alarms or be aware of when the all important announcement comes, the England manager will release the team at 2pm.
For all the info you need have a read of this:
What time does Gareth Southgate announce his England squad?
Southgate will on Thursday name his first squad since last year’s World Cup
England squad announcement: Latest updates
Ivan Toney is available for selection despite admitting guilt for 262 breaches of the Football Association’s gambling rules and Brentford boss Thomas Frank believes his player deserves a call-up.
Toney has scored 16 Premier League goals this season, only four less than Harry Kane.
“I don’t expect anything from football,” Frank said. “It’s up to Gareth to pick the right squad. Ivan has done more than enough to be giving Gareth a headache in a positive way.
“If you look at pure goal scorers for England, he is the second-highest goal scorer behind (Harry) Kane. If you look at clear number nines, he should be thinking very much about calling him up.”
Read the full story:
Ivan Toney has done enough to be recognised for England selection – Thomas Frank
Toney was in the right place at the far post to tap the ball home after a flick-on from Christian Norgaard in the first half.
Latest updates as Gareth Southgate announces England squad
Follow live updates as Gareth Southgate names his first England squad since the World Cup ahead of the start of the European Championship qualifiers later this month. Southgate decided to stay on as England manager following his team’s quarter-final exit to France in Qatar and is now ready to start another campaign for international silverware.
England begin their Euro 2024 qualifying journey with a tough trip to Italy on March 23, with Ukraine travelling to Wembley three days later. While Southgate is expected to stick with the majority of the squad he has worked with at the past two major tournaments, the England manager may have a surprise or two as the Three Lions begin their next cycle.
Among them, the in-form Ollie Watkins and Solly March are pushing for a place in Southgate’s squad, while a decision will have to be made over the selection of Ivan Toney. The Brentford forward was left out of the World Cup squad, and may miss out again as the Football Association disciplinary case for breaching betting rules hangs over him.
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