Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has been handed his first England call-up by Gareth Southgate for their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.
West Bromwich goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has also been given his debut senior international call up, while Jesse Lingard, John Stones and Luke Shaw have been handed recalls by Southgate.
However, there is no Patrick Bamford in the squad – Southgate was due to make a final check on his fitness on Thursday morning.
Jude Bellingham has been included in the squad, but there is some doubt over whether he will be able to join up due to strict Covid restrictions in Germany.
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has been called into the England squad for the first time
Jesse Lingard has been handed an England return after his excellent form for West Ham
England manager Gareth Southgate has named his squad for a trio of World Cup qualifiers
There is no place also for Trent Alexander-Arnold or Harry Winks. Villa’s Jack Grealish also misses out as he returns from injury.
Southgate confirmed that Liverpool man Alexander-Arnold had been dropped on form, saying: ‘In some areas of the pitch we have incredible competition for places.
‘I don’t think he has played to the level he found in the last couple of years but I think he is getting close to that now. He has taken steps in the right direction.
‘I have made that same call to Kyle [Walker] and Kieran [Trippier] in the past and their response was a good one. I am certain Trent will play a big part in the future.’
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold (right) has been left out of the latest England squad
Villa forward Watkins has scored 12 club goals this season after stepping up to the Premier League from Brentford and receives a first call-up to an England squad at any level.
Lingard hasn’t been part of an England squad since the 2019 UEFA Nations League in Portugal but his strong form on loan at West Ham from Manchester United has caught Southgate’s eye.
Southgate said: ‘Jesse is a bit fortunate to be in [as] we’ve got injuries in attacking areas but his performances for West Ham have been excellent.
‘We know he can perform at this level. We trust him and think he can play a big part.’
Manchester City defender Stones is enjoying a very good campaign and is rewarded with a first call-up since October 2019, while Manchester United left back Shaw hasn’t been involved since a Nations League game with Spain in September 2018.
Manchester City defender John Stones returns to the England fold for the first time since 2019
Luke Shaw is back in the England squad following a positive season for Manchester United
On Shaw, Southgate said: ‘We often talk about coaches’ and managers’ impact on players but we have to give players a lot of credit.
‘In Luke’s case he has been defending on the front foot. He’s been aggressive in his defending and shows great ambition in his attacking play. We know he has the quality to do that.
‘He has earned his chance and deserves to be in.’
Baggies keeper Johnstone has been capped at every England level from under-16 to under-20 and comes in to the squad following the injury suffered by No 1 Jordan Pickford of Everton.
Kieran Trippier of Atletico Madrid is in the squad despite limited game time this year because of his betting ban.
Southgate has picked Borussia Dortmund midfielder Bellingham, 17, despite doubts over whether he will be released for international duty.
The teenager would have to quarantine upon his return to Germany because of the country’s strict Covid-19 travel restrictions.
‘But those rules can change so quickly and while we’re still investigating what’s possible we wanted to name him in the squad,’ the England boss said on Sky Sports.
‘I’ve explained to Jude we’re leaving him there, but we know it’s looking doubtful at this moment in time that he’ll be able to join up.’
Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham has been called up but may be unable to travel
Bamford has scored 13 Premier League goals for Leeds United this season and Southgate admitted he was close to a call-up.
‘(Bamford was) very close,’ Southgate said. ‘There’re a number of positions in this squad that have been really close calls and we felt we wanted an extra striker.
‘We’re really pleased with Harry (Kane) and (Dominic) Calvert-Lewin and what they’ve done. Tammy Abraham hasn’t really been involved for Chelsea over the last four to six weeks.
‘And both Ollie and Patrick in particular, their goals record has been good. We like the personalities of both. Ollie is a player we’ve had less interaction with in the past. It’s going to be good to get to know him.
‘We like his pressing, the speed and the runs in behind. He’s got some improvement to make in linking the game, but in his first season in the Premier League at a big club, he’s done exceptionally well.
‘That’s been a really close call because all the things I’ve said about Ollie I could have said for Patrick as well, so he’s very unfortunate.’
Southgate admitted that Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford was unlucky not to be picked
The 26-strong squad report for duty on Monday morning as they begin their journey to the Qatar World Cup next year with a qualifier triple-header.
They face San Marino at Wembley on Thursday next week before a trip to Albania on Sunday March 28 and a home fixture with Poland on Wednesday March 31.
Hungary and Andorra are the other two teams in England’s qualification group.
The triple-header will also afford Southgate the opportunity to fine-tune his team from this summer’s European Championship.
Gareth Southgate says Trent Alexander-Arnold ‘isn’t at the same level as last two years’ after Liverpool man is left out
Gareth Southgate confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s omission from the latest England squad is down solely to his form for Liverpool.
Right-back Alexander-Arnold wasn’t named in the 26-man Three Lions squad for the trio of World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland later this month.
Explaining the decision to leave Alexander-Arnold out and select Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker and Reece James in the position instead, Southgate said the 22-year-old’s form hadn’t reached the heights of recent seasons.
Gareth Southgate left Liverpool right back Alexander-Arnold out of his latest England squad
‘In some areas of the pitch we have incredible competition for places,’ Southgate said.
‘I don’t think he has played to the level he found in the last couple of years but I think he is getting close to that now. He has taken steps in the right direction.
‘I have made that same call to Kyle [Walker] and Kieran [Trippier] in the past and their response was a good one.
‘I am certain Trent will play a big part in the future.’
Alexander-Arnold, who has been capped 12 times for England, has contributed one goal and five assists in 34 Liverpool appearances across all competitions this season.
The right back celebrates scoring for England in their 2018 friendly with the United States
Jurgen Klopp’s side have seen their title defence implode in recent weeks following a dreadful run of just two Premier League wins in their last eight games.
Alexander-Arnold’s returns have certainly diminished on the previous two seasons.
In 2018-19, which ended with Liverpool winning the Champions League, Alexander-Arnold set up 16 goals in 40 appearances. Last season, which saw Liverpool ending their 30-year wait for a league title, he claimed 15 assists in all competitions.
Southgate handed Alexander-Arnold his first senior cap against Costa Rica in a friendly match just prior to the 2018 World Cup.
He last played for the Three Lions in the 2-1 win over Belgium at Wembley in the UEFA Nations League last October.
A calf injury kept him out of England’s last set of internationals in November.
Alexander-Arnold’s two week rest will no doubt delight Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp