England squad announcement LIVE: Gareth Southgate makes tough decisions ahead of March fixtures

The England manager has made some big calls in his first squad since the World Cup

Gareth Southgate will stay on as England manager, FA announces

Gareth Southgate insists there was no reason not to include Ivan Toney in his England squad, despite a potential ban hanging over the player’s head. The in-form Brentford striker is in Southgate’s first squad since the World Cup quarter-final exit to France in December for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine this month.

But Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling, who missed his side’s 3-1 win at Leicester at the weekend, is ruled out of the opening qualifying matches due to injury. Toney is still waiting for a Football Association verdict after being charged with 262 breaches of FA gambling rules, with a lengthy suspension possible.

He missed out for the tournament in Qatar - having been in the squad for Nations League games against Germany and Italy in September without playing. Toney’s inclusion means Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, with six goals in his last seven games, misses out.

Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker, being investigated by police after allegedly exposing himself in a bar, is included in the 25-man squad. Along with Sterling, Ben White, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady and Callum Wilson are absent having all gone to the World Cup.

Follow live updates as Gareth Southgate names his England squad .

Latest updates as Gareth Southgate announces England squad

• Gareth Southgate announces England squad for March qualifiers
• England face Italy and Ukraine in opening fixtures of Group C
• Ivan Toney selected despite betting charges
• Trent Alexander-Arnold among World Cup omissions

[16 March 2023 16:00 · Sarah Rendell]

England squad announcement: Latest updates

A player who is not competing a lot for his club at the moment is Harry Maguire. Erik ten Hag has benched the club captain and Maguire has struggled for club minutes all season.

However, that did not stop Gareth Southgate from selecting him from the World Cup and it has not stopped him once again for these qualifiers.

Fans will have many opinions with some wanting a different defender involved, maybe a character like Trent Alexander-Arnold, but Maguire holds the favour with Southgate still.

[16 March 2023 15:45 · Sarah Rendell]

England squad announcement: Latest updates

Ivan Toney did not make the World Cup squad but he has been selected for the upcoming Euro qualifiers. He is in fine form with 16 Premier League goals to his name this season, but some thought he may be left out due to his betting case.

Kyle Walker is another player some had doubts over. The Manchester City player is under investigation for indecent exposure.

Gareth Southgate explained his decisions in detail. Have a read:

[16 March 2023 15:30 · Sarah Rendell]

England squad announcement: Latest updates

After being named in the England squad Harry Kane is likely focused on competing in the Euros qualifiers to get the job done England started at the 2020 competition.

But rumour of where he will play his club football rumbles on and Tottenham’s manager Antonio Conte was asked about it at his press conference.

Conte said: “The club wants to involve Harry Kane in my opinion,” Conte said. “When you have a world class striker like him, you want him to stay for the rest of his career.

“But then you know football, sometimes it’s unpredictable. It’s not in my role to make a decision. This is a decision for the club and for Harry.”

(PA Wire)

[16 March 2023 15:15 · Sarah Rendell]

England squad announcement: Latest updates

Not a bad birthday for Ivan Toney!

[16 March 2023 15:15 · Karl Matchett]

Gareth Southgate explains why he picked Ivan Toney and Kyle Walker despite investigations

Gareth Southgate has called up Ivan Toney to the England squad for the start of their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, despite the Brentford striker facing a possible FA ban for breaching betting rules.

Toney, who scored his 17th goal of the season in Brentford’s 2-0 win at Southampton on Wednesday, is still waiting for a Football Association verdict after being charged with 262 breaches of gambling rules, with a lengthy suspension possible.

“He’s playing for his club, he’s available,” Southgate said. “There hasn’t been a trial or any judgement, so I don’t know on what basis we wouldn’t pick him.”

Toney missed out on the World Cup to Newcastle’s Callum Wilson, but has edged out the Magpies’ striker this time ahead of qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine.

More here:

[16 March 2023 15:05 · Sarah Rendell]

England squad announcement: Latest updates

That is all Southgate had to say at the press conference. With all the quotes out there, here is a reminder of the squad named:

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defenders: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Maddison (Leicester City), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham United)

Forwards: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford)

[16 March 2023 14:55 · Sarah Rendell]

England squad announcement: Latest updates

Southgate also spoke on some players he left out, particularly Brighton’s Solly March.

The manager said: “They [Brighton] are playing very well. The coach has the team playing in a unique style in our league.

“Solly is a player we know well but at the moment I don’t see him ahead of Rashford, Grealish, Saka in those positions on the field. They are hard calls.

“We’re always watching everybody and there is not a game we miss. We know there are some players playing well but I have to pick the team I think gives us the best chance of winning in two big matches coming up.

“You have to get the experience right for those types of games as well.”

[16 March 2023 14:45 · Sarah Rendell]

England squad announcement: Latest updates

The press conferences zoomed by so quickly that there were a few answers from Gareth Southgate that I didn’t jot down. So I’ll be running through a few now so you are caught up on everything he said.

He said England have less depth of selection than other nations: “We’ve got to pick our best players where possible and there’s a balance.

“Do you go with a level of player who’s physically fit but not doing well and being selected? You have to pick your best players as long as they can get to a reasonable physical level.

“We’re shorter than other nations in depth of selection but I’m happy.”

More answers from Southgate to come...

[16 March 2023 14:35 · Sarah Rendell]

England squad announcement: Latest updates

Gareth Southgate was asked about why he selected Ivan Toney and Kyle Walker despite them both being under investigation.

Toney breached the FA’s gambling rules and Walker is under investigation for indecent expose allegations.

Have a read of the piece below where the manager explained his decisions:

[16 March 2023 14:25 · Sarah Rendell]

England squad announcement: Latest updates

Well let’s take a breath after a frantic half-an-hour! The team is out and some of the players who fans thought may be included have missed out, namely Solly March and James Ward-Prowse.

Here is a piece on all the omissions, have a read: