England squad announcement LIVE: Gareth Southgate reveals Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka decisions
England’s players have just four games left to impress Southgate before Euro 2024 – so who makes the cut for fixtures against Malta and North Macedonia?
Gareth Southgate has revealed his latest England squad with Bukayo Saka and Callum Wilson coming in for John Stones and Eddie Nketiah in the only changes from October’s internationals, which means Raheem Sterling has once again been left out.
England continue their preparations ahead of Euro 2024 with qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia later this month but Southgate insisted the door is “100 per cent open” for Sterling to make the European Championships, despite the Chelsea winger now missing the last five international camps since the World Cup last year.
There are just four games to go before Southgate announces his 23-player squad for next summer’s tournament, which England qualified for last month thanks to a 3-1 win over Italy at Wembley.
Stones drops out after picking up an injury while playing for Manchester City this week, while Arsenal striker Nketiah is also sidelined. Saka has been passed fit despite picking up a knock in Arsenal’s win over Sevilla on Wednesday, while James Maddison is also included after limping off Tottenham’s defeat to Chelsea on Monday.
There is no place for the fit-again Reece James, while Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips retain their places. Follow live updates from Wembley below as the England squad is revealed
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
Gareth Southgate on John Stones:
“I am really disappointed for John. The quality of his play is outstanding. He’s having a difficult time injury-wise at the moment, but it gives others an opportunity and we do need to know a little bit more about other players in that area of the pitch.”
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
Gareth Southgate on Marcus Rashford’s struggles at Manchester United.
“I’ve not spoken to him. He knows we love him. He’s been exceptional in his last three starts with us so we’re really happy with him.
“He enjoys his football with us so, for me, there’s nothing to discuss. What happens at his club is nothing to do with me.”
He says Rashford was “unlucky” to be sent off in Copenhagen last night.
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
Southgate says he wanted to pick Reece James but reveals the Chelsea captain did not feel he was ready after only just returning from another injury lay-off.
He mentions Tino Livramento as a potential option at full-back, but says the U-21s remains the best place for him for now.
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
Southgate says there are still several injury concerns among those who have been named in the squad, with the results of scans still to come back in a few cases.
He says Callum Wilson is the biggest doubt. “They are all keen to be in the squad.”
Southgate says: “I couldn’t be certain that everybody who’s in that squad will be there on Sunday. Varying levels of doubt. I’m pretty confident the others can get through.”
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
Gareth Southgate says there was no need to make too many changes to his squad after “excellent performances” in October’s matches.
He says the “door is still open” to players who have missed out, but he is “pleased with the team” at this moment in time.
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
We’re just a few minutes away from Gareth Southgate naming his England squad.
The England manager will then answer questions from the media at Wembley on his selection.
Any surprises in store?
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
Mikel Arteta is hopeful Bukayo Saka will be fine after the Arsenal forward was brought off with a “knock’’ in the Champions League victory over Sevilla.
Saka was the star of the show as Arsenal brushed Sevilla aside in a 2-0 win at the Emirates, setting up Leandro Trossard’s opener before doubling the hosts’ lead in the second half.
But the 22-year-old was once again on the receiving end of several fouls from the Sevilla defenders and signalled to come off late in the contest after an awkward landing.
Arteta, however, did not appear to be overly concerned after Saka’s early exit. Arsenal host Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday, while Gareth Southgate watched on at the Emirates ahead of announcing his England squad on Thursday ahead of qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.
More below:
Mikel Arteta provides Bukayo Saka injury update after concerning knock
Saka’s second-half substitution would have also been a worry for the on-looking England manager Gareth Southgate
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
Southgate to keep faith in Henderson and Phillips?
Henderson was booed by England fans in recent internationals at Wembley following his move to the Saudi Pro League, but that only seemed to strengthen Southgate’s loyalties to the player. The manager values Henderson’s professionalism, experience and leadership in a youthful squad and is willing to look past the level of the SPL in order to keep the former Liverpool captain in his group.
Phillips is also a firm favourite with Southgate but there is a growing issue around his lack of game time for Manchester City. He has only played 51 minutes since the last international window - in three substitute appearances for City. However, he remains a leading option in a shallow pool of central midfielders and now has plenty of major tournament experience.
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
Outside contenders for a midfield spot?
James Ward-Prowse: The West Ham midfielder is in form for his club but out of favour for his country, having just missed out on the past two major tournaments and having been excluded from recent squads. There have been calls for him to usurp Henderson in midfield, but Southgate remains as yet unmoved.
Sean Longstaff: The Newcastle man has been a consistent performer in recent weeks and is pushing for his first international call-up.
Joe Willock: Another Newcastle player who is knocking on the door, Willock is back up and running this season after a long injury lay-off and scored a stunning goal in the recent win at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup.
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
Back from injury?
Bukayo Saka should return after missing the matches against Australia and Italy due to injury, but Phil Foden’s performance in a four-man attack led by Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford means he may have a fight to get back in the team.
Eberechi Eze is also available again - the Crystal Palace midfielder was last included in September’s squad and Gareth Southgate seems to be a fan.
A recall is looking less likely for Callum Wilson, however, after the Newcastle striker appeared to pick up another injury in the defeat at Dortmund on Tuesday.
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