England squad announcement LIVE: Gareth Southgate reveals Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka decisions
Gareth Southgate has revealed his latest England squad with Bukayo Saka and Callum Wilson coming in for John Stones and Eddie Nketiah in the only changes from October’s internationals, which means Raheem Sterling has once again been left out.
England continue their preparations ahead of Euro 2024 with qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia later this month but Southgate insisted the door is “100 per cent open” for Sterling to make the European Championships, despite the Chelsea winger now missing the last five international camps since the World Cup last year.
There are just four games to go before Southgate announces his 23-player squad for next summer’s tournament, which England qualified for last month thanks to a 3-1 win over Italy at Wembley.
Stones drops out after picking up an injury while playing for Manchester City this week, while Arsenal striker Nketiah is also sidelined. Saka has been passed fit despite picking up a knock in Arsenal’s win over Sevilla on Wednesday, while James Maddison is also included after limping off Tottenham’s defeat to Chelsea on Monday.
There is no place for the fit-again Reece James, while Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips retain their places. Follow live updates from Wembley below as the England squad is revealed
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
Gareth Southgate names England squad for Malta and North Macedonia double header
Raheem Sterling and Reece James left out as Bukayo Saka and Callum Wilson return
Southgate explains Sterling decision after forward misses fifth straight England camp
Southgate reveals Wilson, Saka and Maddison remain injury doubts despite call-ups
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
14:29 , Jamie Braidwood
Gareth Southgate has brought in Newcastle’s Callum Wilson and the fit-again Bukayo Saka to his squad for England’s final two Euro 2024 qualifiers, but Raheem Sterling has again been omitted.
John Stones, who picked up an injury this week playing for Manchester City, and Saka’s Arsenal teammate Eddie Nketiah are the two players to drop out from October’s wins over Australia and Italy.
England play Malta on Friday 17 November before travelling to North Macedonia for their final game of the qualification stage four days later.
Sterling’s chances of making the cut for the tournament in Germany next summer are now hanging by a thread. The 28-year-old has not been part of an England squad since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with his last appearance coming as a substitute in the quarter-final defeat by France.
Breaking report by Lawrence Ostlere at Wembley:
Gareth Southgate makes two changes to England squad for final Euro 2024 qualifiers
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
14:12 , Jamie Braidwood
Gareth Southgate explains Raheem Sterling decision:
“The door is 100 per cent open not only for Raheem but also other players who aren’t in this squad. We don’t need to know about his quality, his personality. He is a crucial part of the journey we’ve been on.
“The squad is playing really well and we had an exceptional win against Italy last time out. Who do we leave out? No [the relationship hasn’t broken down]. He wasn’t available in March or June. We started on a good run and the performance in June were excellent so we’ve stuck with that group. We’ve deliberately not made many changes.
“Raheem looks invigorated but really pleased with the team.
“It’s an area of the pitch where we have as much competition as anywhere. Bowen has started the season well. Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer are doing well. It’s a changing landscape there. We used to not have wingers, that’s why we used wing-backs in Russia. We have a lot of depth in those areas now, that’s what people need to understand.”
BREAKING: Gareth Southgate names England squad
14:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Bukayo Saka and Callum Wilson are in, the injured John Stones and Eddie Nketiah are out.
There is no place for Raheem Sterling.
England squad:
Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).
Defenders: Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Fikayi Tomori (AC Milan), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Al-Ettifaq), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (Arsenal).
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Callum Wilson (Newcastle United).
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
15:04 , Jamie Braidwood
England players have only four more international games in which to impress Gareth Southgate before the manager names his squad for Euro 2024.
Southgate’s team qualified for the tournament, which will be hosted by Germany next summer, with a stylish 3-1 win over reigning champions Italy at Wembley Stadium, the venue for that agonising shootout defeat by the Azzurri in 2021.
Now England can look ahead to the Euros, with two final qualifiers against Group C minnows Malta and North Macedonia to come in November, before two friendlies at Wembley in the spring.
Competition for places is fierce, made even more so by Uefa’s announcement that squads will return to containing 23 players, after 26 had been allowed for the Covid-affected Euro 2020 and at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Lawrence Ostlere takes a closer look at who is heading to Germany and who might miss out.
England’s Euro 2024 squad: Who’s on the plane and who has work to do?
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
14:28 , Jamie Braidwood
That’s all from Southgate!
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
14:28 , Jamie Braidwood
Gareth Southgate explains Kalvin Phillips selection:
“For any player that’s not playing football, it’s about their career. England is a consequence of club but you also want fulfilment. If you’re training every day, you want to play.
“He’s playing with world-class players at his club so I completely understand why he’s not getting the games.
“Between him, Pep [Guardiola] and Txiki [Begiristain] I’m sure they’ll discuss the best route forward.
“We know the quality of his play and he was our player of the year a couple of years ago. We’d like him to be in a better rhythm of playing but there aren’t many players who can play in his position at the level.”
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
14:27 , Jamie Braidwood
Gareth Southgate on striker options after naming both Callum Wilson and Ollie Watkins alongside captain Harry Kane, with Eddie Nketiah dropping out:
“There’s also Ivan Toney and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who’s starting to get games again. There is competition.
“I said to Eddie [Nketiah] that, at the moment, we see Callum [Wilson] and Ollie [Watkins] slightly ahead of him, but he’s progressing really well.
“I don’t think his injury is a big problem.
“He’s left a positive impression with us. He’s not in at the moment but maybe that could change over the weekend.”
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
14:20 , Jamie Braidwood
Gareth Southgate is asked if Ben White is still available for selection. The Arsenal right back has not been selected since he left the World Cup camp prematurely last November.
“I assume so,” he replies. “Ben has been very solid for Arsenal. He’s a different profile of full-back, he’s a centre-back playing at full-back really. He’s behind a couple of options in there, we’ve got Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander Arnold, Reece James, and there a couple of other younger players coming through. We’re happy with that area of the team.”
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
14:17 , Jamie Braidwood
Southgate on Harry Maguire’s form:
“We want our players to be involved and enjoying their football with the club. He’s battling for the team. I’m pleased for him.”
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
14:16 , Jamie Braidwood
Gareth Southgate on John Stones:
“I am really disappointed for John. The quality of his play is outstanding. He’s having a difficult time injury-wise at the moment, but it gives others an opportunity and we do need to know a little bit more about other players in that area of the pitch.”
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
14:15 , Jamie Braidwood
Gareth Southgate on Marcus Rashford’s struggles at Manchester United.
“I’ve not spoken to him. He knows we love him. He’s been exceptional in his last three starts with us so we’re really happy with him.
“He enjoys his football with us so, for me, there’s nothing to discuss. What happens at his club is nothing to do with me.”
He says Rashford was “unlucky” to be sent off in Copenhagen last night.
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
14:10 , Jamie Braidwood
Southgate says he wanted to pick Reece James but reveals the Chelsea captain did not feel he was ready after only just returning from another injury lay-off.
He mentions Tino Livramento as a potential option at full-back, but says the U-21s remains the best place for him for now.
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
14:07 , Jamie Braidwood
Southgate says there are still several injury concerns among those who have been named in the squad, with the results of scans still to come back in a few cases.
He says Callum Wilson is the biggest doubt. “They are all keen to be in the squad.”
Southgate says: “I couldn’t be certain that everybody who’s in that squad will be there on Sunday. Varying levels of doubt. I’m pretty confident the others can get through.”
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
14:06 , Jamie Braidwood
Gareth Southgate says there was no need to make too many changes to his squad after “excellent performances” in October’s matches.
He says the “door is still open” to players who have missed out, but he is “pleased with the team” at this moment in time.
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
13:52 , Jamie Braidwood
We’re just a few minutes away from Gareth Southgate naming his England squad.
The England manager will then answer questions from the media at Wembley on his selection.
Any surprises in store?
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
13:49 , Jamie Braidwood
Mikel Arteta is hopeful Bukayo Saka will be fine after the Arsenal forward was brought off with a “knock’’ in the Champions League victory over Sevilla.
Saka was the star of the show as Arsenal brushed Sevilla aside in a 2-0 win at the Emirates, setting up Leandro Trossard’s opener before doubling the hosts’ lead in the second half.
But the 22-year-old was once again on the receiving end of several fouls from the Sevilla defenders and signalled to come off late in the contest after an awkward landing.
Arteta, however, did not appear to be overly concerned after Saka’s early exit. Arsenal host Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday, while Gareth Southgate watched on at the Emirates ahead of announcing his England squad on Thursday ahead of qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.
More below:
Mikel Arteta provides Bukayo Saka injury update after concerning knock
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
13:48 , Jamie Braidwood
Southgate to keep faith in Henderson and Phillips?
Henderson was booed by England fans in recent internationals at Wembley following his move to the Saudi Pro League, but that only seemed to strengthen Southgate’s loyalties to the player. The manager values Henderson’s professionalism, experience and leadership in a youthful squad and is willing to look past the level of the SPL in order to keep the former Liverpool captain in his group.
Phillips is also a firm favourite with Southgate but there is a growing issue around his lack of game time for Manchester City. He has only played 51 minutes since the last international window - in three substitute appearances for City. However, he remains a leading option in a shallow pool of central midfielders and now has plenty of major tournament experience.
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
13:39 , Jamie Braidwood
Outside contenders for a midfield spot?
James Ward-Prowse: The West Ham midfielder is in form for his club but out of favour for his country, having just missed out on the past two major tournaments and having been excluded from recent squads. There have been calls for him to usurp Henderson in midfield, but Southgate remains as yet unmoved.
Sean Longstaff: The Newcastle man has been a consistent performer in recent weeks and is pushing for his first international call-up.
Joe Willock: Another Newcastle player who is knocking on the door, Willock is back up and running this season after a long injury lay-off and scored a stunning goal in the recent win at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup.
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
13:31 , Jamie Braidwood
Back from injury?
Bukayo Saka should return after missing the matches against Australia and Italy due to injury, but Phil Foden’s performance in a four-man attack led by Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford means he may have a fight to get back in the team.
Eberechi Eze is also available again - the Crystal Palace midfielder was last included in September’s squad and Gareth Southgate seems to be a fan.
A recall is looking less likely for Callum Wilson, however, after the Newcastle striker appeared to pick up another injury in the defeat at Dortmund on Tuesday.
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
13:19 , Jamie Braidwood
Defensive options for Southgate?
John Stones’ injury has given England manager Gareth Southgate the chance to explore his centre-back options in the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, writes Carl Markham.
The City defender was forced off with a problem in Tuesday’s Champions League win over Young Boys with boss Pep Guardiola admitting it is “deep bad news”.
But with qualification for the summer’s tournament in Germany already secured, Southgate can afford to look at his back-up options.
Brighton captain Lewis Dunk and AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori started together in last month’s friendly win over Australia but Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi was the man Southgate opted to replace Stones for the final 27 minutes against Italy and has the most caps of the trio.
Injuries to Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw meant Kieran Trippier filled in at left-back against Italy but Chelsea’s Levi Colwill started against Australia and could be another one to benefit from any experimentation.
Colwill’s club captain Reece James could be in for a recall having returned from injury.
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
12:46 , Jamie Braidwood
Bowen and Watkins to keep their places?
Jarrod Bowen and Ollie Watkins were the headline selections last time after their impressive starts to the Premier League season. Bowen has made Premier League history by scoring in six away games in a row for West Ham since the start of the campaign, while Watkins scored against Australia at Wembley after Southgate’s pick.
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
12:35 , Jamie Braidwood
Sterling’s return?
Only Harry Kane has scored more goals for England under Gareth Southgate than Raheem Sterling, but the forward has not been in a squad since the World Cup - a year ago.
Sterling has scored two goals in the five games since the last squad - is this enough to merit a return, or has Southgate made his mind up already in what is a competitive area of the team?
Kane, Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, James Maddison, Eddie Nketiah, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Ollie Watkins were named in a 26-man squad last time out.
England squad announcement LIVE: Latest updates
12:31 , Jamie Braidwood
When is England’s squad announced?
Gareth Southgate will name his England squad at 2pm GMT on Thursday 9 November.
Welcome
12:30 , Jamie Braidwood
Gareth Southgate names his latest England squad this afternoon ahead of qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia as the Three Lions continue their preparations ahead of Euro 2024.
There are just four games to go before Southgate announces his 23-player squad for next summer’s tournament, which England qualified for last month thanks to a 3-1 win over Italy at Wembley.
With qualification secured, England will now look to seal top spot in the group and earn a seeded position ahead of the Euro 2024. But with matches against Malta and North Macedonia (ranked 171st and 66th in the Fifa rankings respectively), Southgate also has the chance to look at some of his back-up options.
John Stones is set to miss out after picking up an injury this week while all eyes will be on Raheem Sterling and whether his improved form for Chelsea has earned the forward his first selection since the World Cup.
Follow live updates from Wembley as the England squad is revealed
