England squad announcement LIVE: Gareth Southgate reveals Bukayo Saka injury decision and Ollie Watkins recall
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Gareth Southgate has named Bukayo Saka in his England squad, despite the Arsenal winger being an injury doubt ahead of his side’s Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday.
The England manager has also recalled Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen ahead of upcoming matches against Australia and Italy during October’s international break.
Saka came off in the first half of the Gunners’ 2-1 Champions League defeat at Lens on Tuesday night and manager Mikel Arteta said he had suffered a hamstring injury, admitting it was a concern ahead of the match against Manchester City this weekend.
Among the other key calls from this announcement is Southgate’s decision to stick with Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson, while there is no place for Raheem Sterling, James Ward-Prowse or Anthony Gordon.
Follow along for all the updates as England’s latest squad is announced:
England squad announcement LIVE
Gareth Southgate names his England squad for the October international fixtures
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins earns England recall after Premier League form
Southgate makes Bukayo Saka injury decision ahead of Arsenal vs Man City
Raheem Sterling, Nick Pope and James Ward-Prowse miss out
When are England’s matches?
14:44 , Mike Jones
Friday 13 October 2023 – England vs Australia (Friendly)
Tuesday 17 October 2023 – England vs Italy (Euro 2024 qualifier)
Both matches will be shown live on Channel 4 and will both kick off at 7:45pm.
Gareth Southgate gives Bukayo Saka injury update ahead of Arsenal vs Man City
14:40 , Mike Jones
Bukayo Saka is still being assessed ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Manchester City on Sunday, despite being included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
The Arsenal winger limped off during Arsenal’s defeat to Lens on Tuesday with a hamstring injury and Gunners boss Mikle Arteta said it was a concern ahead of the clash against the Premier League champions this weekend.
Southgate, though, named Saka in his 26-player squad to face Australia and Italy in October’s international and indicated the 22-year-old was in his plans ahead of the first fixture of the double-header next Friday.
Gareth Southgate gives Bukayo Saka injury update ahead of Arsenal vs Man City
Southgate on Colwill’s adaptability
14:36 , Mike Jones
“We’re conscious that most of his football has been as a centre-back and I think that’s his preference and his strongest position but equally we’re without a lot of experience at left-back and he’s playing there regularly and we’ve got some other centre-backs that can fill in at full-back areas as well.
“It’s an area where we need to find out a bit about one or two players because that depth in that position in particular in the league is not strong.
“But we really like Levi – he had a fantastic season last year with Brighton, an excellent Euros with our Under-21s, he’s adapting well to life back at Chelsea and he’s got a real maturity about his game, We’re very hopeful about his future.”
Southgate on Bellingham’s start at Real Madrid
14:33 , Mike Jones
“He’s continued as he did prior to our September camp – it’s a wonderful start for him and it’s obviously a huge football club, a big challenge but he’s taken to it as he’s taken to pretty much every challenge that’s been put in front of him.
“Everybody can see his personality, he thrives in tough environments and it’s great to see him doing so well.”
The England boss on Euro 2028
14:30 , Mike Jones
With Turkey withdrawing from the bidding process for Euro 2028 the only remaining proposal comes from the UK and Ireland. The England manager was asked his thoughts about another home tournament and he replied:
“It’s brilliant if that opportunity arises – there’s still a little bit to do I think. But all the nations are fantastic football nations and they will have huge pride in hosting.
“If the teams get qualified as well, there’s obviously some home advantage to hosting.”
Southgate on VAR drama
14:27 , Mike Jones
“I wasn’t for it,” says Gareth Southgate when asked his opinion on VAR following last weekend’s drama. “I’m still not sure if the Jesse Lingard goal that knocked us out of the semi-final was legit or not.
“I don’t like it. I think we should just accept referees’ decisions but we know we are unlikely to go back to a world where we don’t have technology as part of that decision-making process.
“It was never going to resolve every issue and I don’t think there is any solution that will achieve that.”
Southgate on Watkins
14:24 , Mike Jones
“Callum Wilson is carrying an injury and we were not certain he would be available.
“Ollie has started the season well – he’s hit a bit of scoring form in the last couple of weeks. You have to be careful with that because you can’t just go on recency bias with selection.
“But he is in good form and obviously coming in on a high and he’s been with us before so we know his character, his personality – he is a good guy around the group.
“His team are playing well and he’s playing for a team that are really well coached and they are in a good moment.”
Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen make England return but Raheem Sterling left out
14:22 , Mike Jones
Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen have returned to the England football team set-up but there is no place for Raheem Sterling once again.
The penultimate camp of 2023 kicks off with a Wembley friendly against Australia before hosting Italy under the arch in a European Championship qualifier.
Gareth Southgate named a 26-man squad for the October double-header, with uncapped Levi Colwill and Eddie Nketiah again getting the nod as a pair of in-form forwards made their long-awaited returns.
Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen make England return but Raheem Sterling left out
Southgate explains Sterling omission
14:18 , Mike Jones
“We spoke before the last squad and we’ve been happy with the wide players’ performances in the last four games in particular and in the two in March. The team are playing really well and clearly there’s some stability there.
“We have added Jarrod Bowen in those wide areas, he’s scored five in seven games and is playing really well and with the Australia game as well there’s the opportunity to learn some different things as well.”
Watkins earns a recall
14:14 , Mike Jones
Will the Aston Villa forward get some game time against Australia and Italy, perhaps as a second striker alongside Harry Kane?
Southgate on Saka
14:11 , Mike Jones
“He’s still being assessed as they’ve obviously got a big game this weekend and then there’s another seven days before we play Australia and 10 days before we play Italy so everybody will monitor everything as we go forward.”
Big name omissions
14:08 , Mike Jones
The big calls from Gareth Southgate are once again on show as Raheem Sterling fails to earn a call up for the second camp running while Nick Pope is overshadowed once again with Sam Johnstone and Aaron Ramsdale.
Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen do earn recalls after their fine form for Aston Villa and West Ham respectively.
Gareth Southgate on Bukayo Saka
14:06 , Mike Jones
Gareth Southgate is just starting his press conference explaining his decisions about this squad. The first question concerns the fitness of Bukayo Saka and Southgate admits that the Arsenal forward still needs to be assessed over the extent of the injury.
However, he believes that the time between now and the Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy is sufficient to allow Saka the chance to fully recover.
England squad in full
14:04 , Mike Jones
Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale.
Defenders: Levi Colwill, Lewis Dunk, Marc Guehi, Harry Maguire, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker.
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice.
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, James Maddison, Eddie Nketiah, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Ollie Watkins.
England squad announcement
14:01 , Mike Jones
Here’s the England squad for the October internationals. The big headlines are the Bukayo Saka makes it in and Jarrod Bowen is recalled:
David Moyes backs Jarrod Bowen for England recall after starring in West Ham win
13:57 , Mike Jones
David Moyes believes Jarrod Bowen should be back in the England squad this week after his fifth goal of the season helped sink Sheffield United 2-0.
Gareth Southgate names his next squad on Thursday ahead of a friendly against Australia and the Euro 2024 qualifier with Italy.
Bowen, who earned four caps last year, was overlooked for the September internationals but Moyes feels his current form makes him hard to ignore.
David Moyes backs Jarrod Bowen for England recall after starring in West Ham win
Eddie Howe sure Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon on Gareth Southgate’s England radar
13:52 , Mike Jones
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe says Anthony Gordon could be on England boss Gareth Southgate’s radar after his fine performance in the 8-0 romp at Sheffield United.
Gordon came on as an early substitute for the injured Harvey Barnes at Bramall Lane and gave the Blades defence nightmares, scoring a fine goal in the second half and also assisting Sean Longstaff’s opener.
The 22-year-old has taken his time to find his feet at St James’ Park following his January move from Everton, but has started the season well.
Eddie Howe sure Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon on Gareth Southgate’s England radar
Gareth Southgate waits on Bukayo Saka news ahead of England double-header
13:47 , Mike Jones
Boss Gareth Southgate will be sweating on Bukayo Saka’s fitness ahead of naming his England squad to face Australia and Italy on Thursday.
The Arsenal forward came off in the first half of the Gunners’ 2-1 Champions League defeat at Lens on Tuesday night.
Saka suffered a hamstring injury and boss Mikel Arteta admitted it was a concern ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Manchester City on Sunday.
Doubts over Saka’s fitness could open the door for Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon after his impressive start to the season.
Gareth Southgate waits on Bukayo Saka news ahead of England double-header
England squad announcement
13:42 , Mike Jones
Gareth Southgate’s side are now in a strong position to reach next summer’s European Championships in Germany.
Despite a 1-1 draw against Ukraine in their Euro 2024 qualifier last time out, England have a six-point lead over Italy in the Group C standings, thanks in part to a 2-1 victory in Naples at the start of the campaign.
They may secure a spot are the tournament during this international break should they defeat Italy and other results also go their way.
When are England’s matches?
13:37 , Mike Jones
Friday 13 October 2023 – England vs Australia (Friendly)
Tuesday 17 October 2023 – England vs Italy (Euro 2024 qualifier)
Both matches will be shown live on Channel 4 and will both kick off at 7:45pm.
Who could be included in the squad?
13:32 , Mike Jones
Once again, there is fierce competition among the forward places. Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen are in form and have been included in past England squads under Southgate, so it would not be a shock to see either called up for the October camp. Raheem Sterling will hope to get his place back after missing out on last month’s matches against Scotland and Ukraine.
In midfield, James Ward Prowse could earn a recall, while Liverpool’s Curtis Jones and Newcastle’s Sean Longstaff have impressed with their early season form. Jordan Henderson’s place in the squad is once again in doubt following his move to Saudi Arabia, as is Harry Maguire’s due to his lack of minutes for Manchester United.
England squad announcement
13:16 , Mike Jones
Gareth Southgate will name his squad for England’s upcoming international games this October with many people waiting to see which players receive the call-up.
The likes of Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson are under the microscope but are expected to be recalled by the England boss who could yet spring a couple of surprises and reward players based on recent form.
James Ward-Prowse, Sean Longstaff and Anthony Gordon are all in the mix after decent starts to the season but it remains to be seen whether Southgate will feel the same way.
England’s squad announcement is due at 2pm.