Agencies
London
James Maddison and Callum Wilson are in England’s World Cup squad after Gareth Southgate handed the in-form pair their first international call-ups in three years.
With 11 days to go until the Three Lions kick-off their Group B campaign against Iran, the former defender has confirmed the 26-man group that will be travelling to Doha next week.
Southgate has largely stuck with the tried and tested, with the most eye-catching selections being Leicester attacking midfielder Maddison and Newcastle striker Wilson.
Maddison’s only England cap came as a substitute against Montenegro in November 2019 - the last squad four-cap Wilson was involved in.
There is a recall for rejuvenated Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, whose last cap came in the Euro 2020 final loss to Italy.
There is no space in Southgate’s Qatar selection for Roma striker Tammy Abraham, Brentford frontman Ivan Toney or West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen.
Manchester City pair Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips were included despite a lack of match fitness, while Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has been named in the squad despite his limited game time.
Versatile Arsenal defender Ben White has been brought into a group that has Luke Shaw as the only out-and-out left-back. Marc Guehi, Fikayo Tomori and Tyrone Mings are among those missing out.
Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher made the cut but Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse again just missed out on a major tournament squad.
Maddison form rewarded
Maddison’s inclusion is reward for his superb form for Leicester this season.
He has been instrumental in the Foxes’ resurgence following their poor start to the season and has six goals and four assists in 12 Premier League games. His only cap for England came almost three years ago to the day - in a Euro 2020 qualifier against Montenegro when he played 35 minutes.
“He is playing really well,” said Southgate.
“He is a good player. We have always said he is a good player. He has earned the right. We think he can give something slightly different to the other attacking players we have.
“He is playing as well as any of the attacking players in this country and he is a bit different to the others.”
We think we have everything covered - Southgate
Walker has proved his fitness to Southgate after undergoing groin surgery and not playing in more than a month.
The England boss has also put his faith in Phillips, despite the midfielder having had injury struggles this season. Phillips, who has had surgery on his shoulder, returned to action as a second-half substitute in Manchester City’s 2-0 win against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
Rashford has not played for England since the Euro 2020 final defeat by Italy, but the Manchester United forward has scored seven goals in all competitions this season.
Newcastle striker Wilson, who has scored six goals in 10 games this season, joins Tottenham’s England captain Harry Kane as the Three Lions’ main striker options for the World Cup.
But, like Brentford’s Toney and West Ham’s Bowen, Roma striker Tammy Abraham has been overlooked.
“We have wanted to make sure we have the balance of the squad right,” added Southgate.
“In this day and age squad is more important than ever with five substitutes. You want different options for different moments of matches and different stages of the tournament as well.
“We have had to cover a couple of players who are not fully match fit as well so having 26 players means you can take a couple of risks.
“We think the balance is there. We think we have everything covered.”
