Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe called up to England squad for first time as Gareth Southgate hit by injuries

Smith Rowe was originally called up to the Under-21s but was promoted to the senior squad on Monday following a series of withdrawals

Emile Smith-Rowe initially missed out on an England call-up (PA Wire)

Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe has been called to the England squad for the first time after making an impressive start to the season with the Gunners. The 21-year-old has scored in all of his past three games, playing a key role in Arsenal’s resurgence following the team’s poor start to the season.

Smith Rowe was originally called up to the Under-21s but was promoted to the senior squad on Monday following a series of withdrawals.

Marcus Rashford will remain with Manchester United in order to concentrate on regaining full fitness while his teammate Luke Shaw is being monitored as per concussion protocol. Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse is ruled out of the two World Cup qualifiers through illness, and Chelsea’s Mason Mount has been delayed by a few days while he undergoes dental surgery.

It means Southgate will begin preparations for the qualifiers against Albania on Friday and San Marino next Monday with only 22 players, although Shaw and Mount are expected to join up with the squad later this week.

The Three Lions are in pole position to qualify for the Qatar 2022 finals, three points clear of closest group rivals Poland with two games to play. Four points from their final two qualifiers will guarantee England’s qualification.