England squad LIVE: Lee Carsley includes three uncapped players in final announcement
England face Greece and the Republic of Ireland later this month before Thomas Tuchel takes over the reins in January
Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall and Southampton centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis have received their first England call-ups with Liverpool’s Curtis Jones also in line to earn his first senior cap ahead of the games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland this month.
Lee Carsley has named his final England squad before handing the reins over to Thomas Tuchel, who begins his post on January 1, and the interim manager was able to include Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish despite fitness concerns for their clubs
England Under-21s boss Carsley offered maiden call-ups to Newcastle left-back Hall and Southampton centre-back Harwood-Bellis, two players he knows well, while Jones has been rewarded for his impressive form for Liverpool with a place in his 26-man group.
But there was no place for Morgan Rogers, despite his impressive performances for Aston Villa this season, while John Stones also misses out due to injury. Follow all the updates as England name their latest squad at 2pm.
Angel Gomes to continue England run?
Left out by Lee Carsley in the 2-1 defeat to Greece, Angel Gomes returned to midfield and impressed in the 3-1 win over Finland in Helsinki and appears to have become a key part of the team.
There was a lack of balance at Wembley without the Lille midfielder, who has offered a skillset to England that has often been missing in the biggest games.
He, along with Noni Madueke, have taken their chance under Carsley and will hope to make a statement to Thomas Tuchel ahead of the German taking charge in January.
Who could solve England’s left-back crisis?
Left back continues to be a problem position for England, with Luke Shaw still out injured and Ben Chilwell and Tyrick Mitchell overlooked.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Rico Lewis played there in the games against Greece and Finland last month, but were out of position. Levi Colwill is another option, but he is a centre-back.
Newcastle’s Lewis Hall is an outside bet for a call-up, following an impressive display against Arsenal and Bukayo Saka last weekend.
His team-mate Tino Livramento was called-up last month and, although he did not receive any minutes, appears to be getting close to a first cap.
Dominic Solanke aiming to stay in England squad after Tottenham displays
Tottenham forward Dominic Solanke will aim to impress new England manager Thomas Tuchel if selected in Thursday’s national-team squad.
Solanke received his first England call-up in seven years by Lee Carsley last month, and has since impressed in Tottenham’s wins over Manchester City and Aston Villa.
“Since the last camp, we had the news that the new manager will be taking over. I’m not sure he’s going to be there, he’s going to be taking over from next year. That’s something to look forward to for the country,” Solanke said on Wednesday.
“On a personal note, I’d love to be there again (in the squad). I worked hard to get back there so it’s definitely an aim of mine to stay there.”
What Lee Carsley said about Morgan Rogers last month
Lee Carsley admitted it was a “challenge” to name last England squad but revealed Morgan Rogers was close to a senior call-up.
“There’s a lot of players that were close to being in this squad with the talent we have available,” the interim manager said. “The challenge is, it would have been quite easy to name a 40-man squad and almost justify having them all in. The challenge is making sure we pick a competitive squad and a squad where we can win the two games.
“The players who have been left out, it’s just a case of me having a look at other players. It’s nothing to do with form, it’s a case of using this period to experiment a little bit. The players who have been left out all have a case to be in the squad but I thought we saw the benefit of the last squad being fresh and feeling fresh.
“It’s not that [those] players didn’t bring that but I thought it was important it wasn’t a copy and paste and that they had earned their place in the squad. I’ve spoken to all the players that aren’t involved and have had good conversations with them. I’ve made it clear to all of them that it’s a short-term decision from myself.”
Morgan Rogers hoping to take next step in breakthrough season
Morgan Rogers has continued his impressive breakout season since narrowly missing out on selection to the England senior squad last month.
The 22-year-old scored a further two goals for Aston Villa in the Premeir League and starred in another Champions League win for his side, in the 2-0 victory over Bologna.
He has had to settle for a place in England’s Under-21s squad so far this season - a decision his club manager Unai Emery called a “surprise”.
Curtis Jones hoping for first cap after Liverpool form
Curtis Jones was called up to England’s squad mid-camp as an injury replacement last month, only to then withdraw when his partner gave birth to their first son.
Jones has been in great form for Liverpool and starred for the league leaders in their 2-1 win over Chelsea at Anfield last month, scoring the winner.
The 23-year-old looks to have settled into Arne Slot’s first-choice line-up and also looked impressive in the 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in midweek.
Any chance of a recall?
Jarrod Bowen?
The forward was not selected last month but scored his fourth Premier League goal of the season from the spot in the 2-1 win over Manchester United. West Ham’s struggles are not helping his case.
Marcus Rashford?
The 27-year-old has not been picked for England since March and missed out on the Euros squad. Likely needs an upturn in form under Ruben Amorim after Erik ten Hag was sacked.
James Maddison?
The Tottenham midfielder has not returned to the squad adter missing out on the Euros. He looks to have lost his place in Ange Postecoglou’s line-up, too, with Dejan Kulusevski shining in midfield.
Morgan Gibbs-White?
One of Carsley’s picks in September, only to be forced out due to injury in October. The 24-year-old is enjoying life at a Nottingham Forest side flying high in third in the Premier League.
What’s at stake for England in Nations League?
After defeat to Greece at Wembley last month, England know that another loss to the Greeks in Athens would see them unable to be promoted automatically from League B.
Greece have picked up a maximum of 12 points in their first four matches of the Nations League, which is three ahead of England’s nine.
Lee Carsley’s side will likely have to beat Greece away and Ireland at Wembley, while hoping the Greeks slip up in their final match away to Finland.
It could also come down to goal difference. Ahead of the final two matches, Greece have a goal difference of +8, three ahead of England’s +5.
If England do not top their group, Thomas Tuchel’s first games in charge will be promotion play-off matches in March.
England’s fixtures ahead of Nations League double header
Thursday 14 November:
vs Greece, Athens, 7:45pm
Sunday 17 November:
vs Republic of Ireland, Wembley, 5:00pm
Declan Rice also a doubt for England’s matches
Declan Rice missed Arsenal’s defeat to Inter Milan last night and Mikel Arteta said he will be assessed ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge.
He picked up a foot injury in the defeat to Newcastle last weekend and did not travel as a precaution ahead of the Chelsea game on Sunday.
“It is a knock, a problem on his foot, and he wasn’t comfortable to put his boots on so at the moment he is not fit,” Arteta said.
“He wasn’t feeling good the last few days. We’ll have to assess him on Thursday and see if he’s ready for Chelsea.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments