England squad announcement LIVE: Gareth Southgate reveals Bukayo Saka injury decision and Ollie Watkins recall

The Three Lions take on Australia in a friendly before clashing with Italy in a Euro 2024 qualifier

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta responds to Bukayo Saka picking up injury in Champions League loss

Gareth Southgate has named Bukayo Saka in his England squad, despite the Arsenal winger being an injury doubt ahead of his side’s Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday.

The England manager has also recalled Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen ahead of upcoming matches against Australia and Italy during October’s international break.

Saka came off in the first half of the Gunners’ 2-1 Champions League defeat at Lens on Tuesday night and manager Mikel Arteta said he had suffered a hamstring injury, admitting it was a concern ahead of the match against Manchester City this weekend.

Among the other key calls from this announcement is Southgate’s decision to stick with Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson, while there is no place for Raheem Sterling, James Ward-Prowse or Anthony Gordon.

Follow along for all the updates as England’s latest squad is announced:

England squad announcement LIVE

• Gareth Southgate names his England squad for the October international fixtures
• Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins earns England recall after Premier League form
• Southgate makes Bukayo Saka injury decision ahead of Arsenal vs Man City
• Raheem Sterling, Nick Pope and James Ward-Prowse miss out

[5 October 2023 14:11 · Mike Jones]

Southgate on Saka

“He’s still being assessed as they’ve obviously got a big game this weekend and then there’s another seven days before we play Australia and 10 days before we play Italy so everybody will monitor everything as we go forward.”

(REUTERS)

[5 October 2023 14:08 · Mike Jones]

Big name omissions

The big calls from Gareth Southgate are once again on show as Raheem Sterling fails to earn a call up for the second camp running while Nick Pope is overshadowed once again with Sam Johnstone and Aaron Ramsdale.

Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen do earn recalls after their fine form for Aston Villa and West Ham respectively.

[5 October 2023 14:06 · Mike Jones]

Gareth Southgate on Bukayo Saka

Gareth Southgate is just starting his press conference explaining his decisions about this squad. The first question concerns the fitness of Bukayo Saka and Southgate admits that the Arsenal forward still needs to be assessed over the extent of the injury.

However, he believes that the time between now and the Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy is sufficient to allow Saka the chance to fully recover.

[5 October 2023 14:04 · Mike Jones]

England squad in full

Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale.

Defenders: Levi Colwill, Lewis Dunk, Marc Guehi, Harry Maguire, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice.

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, James Maddison, Eddie Nketiah, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Ollie Watkins.

[5 October 2023 14:01 · Mike Jones]

England squad announcement

Here’s the England squad for the October internationals. The big headlines are the Bukayo Saka makes it in and Jarrod Bowen is recalled:

[5 October 2023 13:57 · Mike Jones]

David Moyes backs Jarrod Bowen for England recall after starring in West Ham win

David Moyes believes Jarrod Bowen should be back in the England squad this week after his fifth goal of the season helped sink Sheffield United 2-0.

Gareth Southgate names his next squad on Thursday ahead of a friendly against Australia and the Euro 2024 qualifier with Italy.

Bowen, who earned four caps last year, was overlooked for the September internationals but Moyes feels his current form makes him hard to ignore.

[5 October 2023 13:52 · Mike Jones]

Eddie Howe sure Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon on Gareth Southgate’s England radar

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe says Anthony Gordon could be on England boss Gareth Southgate’s radar after his fine performance in the 8-0 romp at Sheffield United.

Gordon came on as an early substitute for the injured Harvey Barnes at Bramall Lane and gave the Blades defence nightmares, scoring a fine goal in the second half and also assisting Sean Longstaff’s opener.

The 22-year-old has taken his time to find his feet at St James’ Park following his January move from Everton, but has started the season well.

[5 October 2023 13:47 · Mike Jones]

Gareth Southgate waits on Bukayo Saka news ahead of England double-header

Boss Gareth Southgate will be sweating on Bukayo Saka’s fitness ahead of naming his England squad to face Australia and Italy on Thursday.

The Arsenal forward came off in the first half of the Gunners’ 2-1 Champions League defeat at Lens on Tuesday night.

Saka suffered a hamstring injury and boss Mikel Arteta admitted it was a concern ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Manchester City on Sunday.

Doubts over Saka’s fitness could open the door for Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon after his impressive start to the season.

[5 October 2023 13:42 · Mike Jones]

England squad announcement

Gareth Southgate’s side are now in a strong position to reach next summer’s European Championships in Germany.

Despite a 1-1 draw against Ukraine in their Euro 2024 qualifier last time out, England have a six-point lead over Italy in the Group C standings, thanks in part to a 2-1 victory in Naples at the start of the campaign.

They may secure a spot are the tournament during this international break should they defeat Italy and other results also go their way.

[5 October 2023 13:37 · Mike Jones]

When are England’s matches?

Friday 13 October 2023 - England vs Australia (Friendly)

Tuesday 17 October 2023 - England vs Italy (Euro 2024 qualifier)

Both matches will be shown live on Channel 4 and will both kick off at 7:45pm.