- Sterling hasn’t played for England since last year’s World Cup quarter-final
- Chelsea winger has now missed five consecutive England squads this year
Raheem Sterling’s England exile has continued after Gareth Southgate named his squad for the concluding pair of Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.
Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah has lost his place, with his club-mate Bukayo Saka restored, while Manchester City’s John Stones is omitted due to injury.
Southgate has resisted the temptation to select Reece James and Eberechi Eze, who have only recently returned from injury.
The Three Lions booked their place at the tournament in Germany next summer with a 3-1 win over Italy last month and will be hoping to finish the qualifying campaign on a high.
Chelsea attacker Sterling hasn’t played for England since last year’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to France, when he came off the bench.
Raheem Sterling has been left out of the England squad once again – it is now four squads missed when the Chelsea attacker has been fit
Gareth Southgate has named the latest England squad ahead of the upcoming final two Euro 2024 qualifiers at home to Malta and away to North Macedonia
He was injured for the opening Euro 2024 qualifiers in March but Sterling hasn’t been able to regain his England place in the four subsequent squads.
Southgate explained that he wanted continuity in his team, which had been performing well in assuring Euro 2024 qualification with two games to spare.
Asked about Sterling’s absence, he said: ‘The team are playing really well, we had an exceptional win here against Italy last time around. Who do we leave out to bring him in?’
Arsenal star Saka missed October’s matches against Australia and Italy with a thigh problem but he has returned to club action and will be expected to play some part for England next week.
Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson also returns but there isn’t room for Nketiah, who made his senior debut in the friendly with Australia.
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen are also favoured among the attacking selections.
Southgate squad stalwarts Harry Maguire, Kalvin Phillips and Jordan Henderson are all included, with Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham also in despite suffering a shoulder injury this week.
More to follow.
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