Gareth Southgate has told England hopefuls they must "earn the right" to break into a group hellbent on winning next year's European Championship. The 52-year-old's early selections always had an accent on youth and sometimes surprised, yet Ivan Toney is the only player to have made their senior bow this season.
Newcastle United's Callum Wilson was omitted from the most recent squad, having been included in the World Cup party in Qatar, but has since returned to scintillating form for the Magpies, blasting eight goals in the month of April alone. Meanwhile, team-mate Joe Willock has been tipped by many for consideration, with the former Arsenal man a key member of the United midfield which has stormed the top four this season.
Southgate understandably kept with the tried and tested as Euro 2024 qualification got under way just 103 days after their World Cup quarter-final exit, but June appears a good chance to experiment. England sit atop of Group C after beating holders Italy and Ukraine in March, taking the heat off the straightforward-looking doubleheader against Malta and North Macedonia.
