James Maddison was one of just three members of England’s 26-man World Cup squad to receive a phone call from Gareth Southgate ahead of yesterday’s big announcement.
Southgate, who also spoke to fitness concerns Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker, wanted to reassure Maddison he was in his plans for Qatar, after widespread reports suggesting the England manager would resist the clamour to call up the in-form Leicester playmaker.
