England squad: Jadon Sancho, Mason Mount and James Maddison called up for Nations League ties

Gareth Southgate has put his faith in the four uncapped youngsters, with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli and Manchester United's Jesse Lingard injured

Jadon Sancho, Mason Mount, James Maddison and Nathaniel Chalobah have been included in England’s squad for Nations League meetings with Croatia and Spain.

Gareth Southgate has put his faith in the four uncapped youngsters, with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur’s Dele Alli and Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard unavailable through injury.

Harry Winks, who has one international cap to his name after being handed his debut by Southgate last year, is included for the first time since returning from ankle surgery.

Ross Barkley also returns after playing his way into Maurizio Sarri’s plans at Chelsea but club team-mate Ruben Loftus-Cheek is omitted having struggled for regular playing time.

Sancho is the first player born in the new millennium to be named in an England squad. The 18-year-old came through the ranks at Manchester City before moving to Borussia Dortmund last year for more first-team opportunities.

Mount is yet to make a first-team appearance for Chelsea, though the 19-year-old has impressed on loan at Frank Lampard’s Derby County in the Championship this season.

Maddison joined Leicester City in a £22million deal from Norwich this summer and has scored three goals in his seven Premier League outings so far.

The uncapped Chalobah, meanwhile, was called up by Southgate last year and returns having recovered from a long-term knee injury.

Southgate has turned to youth after injuries deprived him of several older and more established players.

Alli and Lingard miss out while fitness concerns also prevented Fabian Delph and Adam Lallana from being called up.

Marcus Bettinelli and Alex McCarthy, both uncapped, join up as back up to Southgate’s regular goalkeepers Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland.

England squad to play Croatia and Spain

Goalkeepers: Marcus Bettinelli (Fulham), Jack Butland (Stoke City), Alex McCarthy (Southampton), Jordan Pickford (Everton).

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Harry Maguire (Leicester City), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), James Tarkowski (Burnley), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Chelsea), Nathaniel Chalobah (Watford), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Mason Mount (on loan at Derby County from Chelsea), Harry Winks (Tottenham Hotspur)/

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), James Maddison (Leicester City), Marcus Rashford, (Manchester United), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal).