Raheem Sterling has been left out of the England squad for the games against Ukraine and Scotland, Gareth Southgate instead turning to Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah for one of the forwards slots.
Sterling’s Chelsea teammate Levi Colwill has won his first call-up, although he has trained with the senior squad before, while Harry Maguire and Kalvin Phillips are also in the squad despite limited playing time for their clubs. Jordan Henderson has kept his place after moving from Liverpool to the Saudi Pro League and Al-Ettifaq.
Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Defenders: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Fikayo Tomori (Milan), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Al-Ettifaq), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Forwards: Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham), Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Callum Wilson (Newcastle)
Southgate said of Nketiah’s first call-up: “It’s an area that we would like to have a look at him. He’s a young player with really good pedigree. He is a very good finisher and it’s good for him to have some time with us. He’s the record scorer with the 21s.”
He added on Colvill: “He’s doing really well, he’s progressing. We really liked him with Brighton. He had a really good tournament with the under-21s.”
Southgate said the door was still open for Sterling to earn a way back and tipped the 82-cap winger to continue his fine start to the campaign. “He was not available for the last two and that has given other people the opportunity to play well and establish themselves in the group,” he said. “It is a difficult call and Raheem isn’t particularly happy about it. I’m convinced he will have a good season at Chelsea, I’ve no doubt about that.”
Sterling said he respected Southgate’s decision and that he would “continue to focus on his domestic form”.
Ben Chilwell and Fikayo Tomori return to the squad with Luke Shaw and Tyrone Mings out injured but there is still no place for the Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope. Trent Alexander-Arnold is listed as a midfielder.
England face Ukraine in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine in Poland on 9 September before taking on Scotland at Hampden Park in a 150th Anniversary Heritage match the following Tuesday.
