England squad: Watkins picked ahead of Bamford, while Bellingham is called up despite Dortmund warning, Lingard and Stones recalled, no Alexander-Arnold

Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins and West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone have received their first call-ups for England’s senior side.

Meanwhile Jude Bellingham has also been called up despite concerns over the Borussia Dortmund star’s availability

Gareth Southgate has named his 26-man squad for England’s World Cup qualifiers this month, which sees them take on San Marino, Albania and Poland.

Getty Images - Getty

Watkins has been very impressive for Villa this season

Getty Images - Getty

It’s unlikely Bellingham will be able to play despite being called up

Leeds striker Patrick Bamford had been widely tipped for a call-up, but Southgate has turned to Watkins, who has impressed since joining Villa from Brentford in the summer.

Johnstone, who has shone for the embattled Baggies this season, gets his maiden call-up following an injury to England number one Jordan Pickford.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is conspicuous by his absence from a squad that sees Luke Shaw, John Stones and Jesse Lingard return after long absences.

Seventeen-year-old Bellingham’s inclusion is interesting given the Football Association had expected regional coronavirus travel restrictions in Germany to rule him out.

Dortmund team-mate Jadon Sancho misses out through injury, while Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Tammy Abraham are not included having been dealing with issues of their own.

England squad in full

Goalkeepers: Henderson, Johnstone, Pope

Defenders: Chilwell, Coady, Dier, Jeames, Maguire, Mings, Shaw, Stones, Trippier, Walker

Midifelders: Bellingham, Foden, Lingard, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse

Forwards: Calvert-Lewin, Kane, Rashford, Saka, Sterling, Watkins

ALMOST

Blackburn could have signed Zidane but they didn't learn from Man United legend

NEWS

Chelsea chase Aguero, Zlatan and Pogba back for Milan-United, Chelsea feared in UCL

Honest

Bowyer insists he was loyal to Charlton and didn't want to 'outstay' welcome

waste

Owen says Golden Generation 'killed' by formation, explains Gerrard and Lampard issue

verdict

Aguero would 'come back to bite Man City' if he joined Chelsea amid transfer links

MOVE?

Kane 'worth over £100m' with Owen saying it’s ‘unrealistic’ he’ll win titles at Spurs

new addick

Sandgaard delight as Adkins takes Charlton job and club legend to stay as no 2

BACKED

‘Nonsense’ to write Roy Keane off Celtic job due to ten-year spell out of management

More follows…

from Football - news, transfers, fixtures, scores, pictures https://ift.tt/30VVk4c
via IFTTT

• Share
• Share
• Tweet
• Pin It