The Euro 2020 finalists have announced their latest squad for next month’s qualifiers.
England’s manager Gareth Southgate has given Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze his first call-up to the senior team.
The 24-year-old has been in fine form for Palace, scoring six goals in his last eight Premier League matches. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tyrone Mings, and Lewis Dunk have also been recalled.
Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling has been left out of the squad by mutual decision after discussions with Southgate. His Blues teammates Reece James, Mason Mount, and Ben Chilwell will miss out due to injuries. Arsenal’s Ben White, Tottenham’s Eric Dier, and AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori have also not been included.
Nick Pope will not be included due to a hand injury that requires an operation. Sam Johnstone of Crystal Palace will step in for the Newcastle keeper.
Manchester City quintet John Stones, Kyle Walker, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, and Kalvin Phillips are in the England squad but will join up late due to their participation in the Champions League final against Inter Milan on June 10. Similarly, Declan Rice will feature at a later date as well as his club, West Ham, will play Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final on June 7.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who made his debut against Ukraine in March, is out as he is serving an eight-month ban for breaching betting rules.
England have two Euro 2024 qualifiers coming up in June. They will play Malta in Ta’ Qali first on Friday, June 16, before facing North Macedonia at Old Trafford three days later.
25-man England squad
Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Lewis Dunk (Brighton & Hove Albion), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham United)
Forwards: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), James Maddison (Leicester City), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Callum Wilson (Newcastle United)