Eberechi Eze has been called up in the England squad for the first time for next month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers, but Raheem Sterling is out.
Crystal Palace midfielder Eze was included after scoring six goals in his last eight Premier League games.
Chelsea striker Sterling has been ruled out following talks with boss Gareth Southgate.
England take on Malta at Ta’ Qali on 16 June, before playing North Macedonia at Old Trafford three days later.
The Three Lions topped the early Group C table after beating Italy and Ukraine in their opening two qualifying matches in March.
Explaining the reasons behind his decision to leave Sterling, Southgate said: “He is not happy with his physical condition, carrying a hamstring problem. He is not considered.
“He didn’t think he was functioning at the level he needed to be.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tyrone Mings and Lewis Dunk have also been recalled.
Dunk, whose first cap came against the USA in 2018, returns to the squad after helping Brighton qualify for Europe for the first time in the club’s history.
Chelsea trio Reece James, Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell are out through injury, while there is no place for Arsenal’s Ben White, Tottenham’s Eric Dier, Everton’s Conor Coady or AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori.
Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope is also out as he needs an operation on a hand injury, with Crystal Palace’s Sam Johnstone recalled for the first time since March 2022 as his replacement.
Manchester City quintet John Stones, Kyle Walker, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Kalvin Phillips have been included but will join the squad late due to their involvement in the Champions League final against Inter Milan on 10 June.
The same applies to West Ham captain Declan Rice, whose Hammers face Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final on 7 June.
Southgate questioned the terms of Toney’s ban
Southgate questions Ivan Toney’s terms eight month ban for breaching the Football Association’s betting rules.
The Brentford striker, who made his Three Lions debut against Ukraine in March, will not be able to play again until January 2024 but will not even train with his club until September.
“What bothers me is that we have to watch people and he is injured at the moment. What is he going to do to be fit?” Southgate said.
“How do we give him structure in the next few months so that he can develop himself or be a better person at the end of it or have experiences that he wouldn’t have had?
“I don’t like the idea that we just leave someone out, that we don’t allow them to be part of the football community.
Eze was rewarded with good form
Eze, who has been capped at U20 and U21 level, was called up after leading a remarkable improvement in results at Crystal Palace under manager Roy Hodgson, with the Eagles winning five and drawing two of their nine games under the former England boss to end any lingering fears. relegation to the Premier League.
The 24-year-old, who is also eligible to play for Nigeria, was expected to be included in England’s provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2020 two years ago but suffered an Achilles injury on the same day as the announcement of squad.
“We’ve liked him for a long time,” said Southgate. “He was very good before the Euros. We called him for a prep camp and he got injured.
“He finished the season really strong, he can play a couple of positions in that front line.
Defender Alexander-Arnold has also returned to the squad having impressed in a midfield role for Liverpool in recent weeks, and Southgate said he could put him in the same position.
“He’s a super footballer and he plays a bit of a different role,” added Southgate. “He’s always in advanced areas with the ball, he’s a bit more central now. It’s an interesting option for us and something I’ve told him in recent weeks. We’re looking forward to working with Trent.”
‘Eze offers Southgate versatility’
Analysis by Alex Howell, BBC Sport
Southgate has made some interesting calls for the latest England squad. This is a bit unusual as the first game the players will play will be 19 days after the Premier League season.
The biggest name missing is Sterling, but from Southgate’s comments and the message from Sterling’s camp it looks like a mutual decision as the forward says he is not fit and is nursing a hamstring injury.
One of the standout names in the 25 man squad is Crystal Palace midfielder Eze. He has been in excellent form since Hodgson returned to the club and has registered 10 goals from midfield this season.
He offered Southgate’s versatility and the England manager referred to his quality on the ball and the turn of speed he possesses as well.
It will be interesting to see where he lines up for the Three Lions as Southgate has also mentioned his ability to play in attacking positions, but he plays in a slightly deeper central role for his club.
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)
Ahead: 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)
