October 6, 2024

Jarrod Bowen and James Justin handed debut England call-ups by Gareth Southgate

Southgate #Southgate

West Ham United forward Jarrod Bowen and Leicester City defender James Justin have been handed their first senior England call-ups by manager Gareth Southgate for the Nations League matches against Hungary, Italy and Germany.

Southgate has also recalled AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori, Manchester City veteran Kyle Walker and Newcastle United full-back Kieran Trippier.

There is no place for Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe, however, while Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell, Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings, Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins all miss out.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is also absent, while there is no place for Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier despite his continued good form.

Bowen is perhaps the most eye-catching inclusion. The 25-year-old does not have a single England appearance at any level, but has scored or earned an assist in 24 Premier League goals this season for West Ham.

Southgate admitted that Bowen was “in the frame” for the last England squad in March, only for a fractured foot to rule the West Ham forward out of contention.

Justin, 24, is the other player to be handed his first call-up. The former England Under-21 defender has endured something of an injury-plagued campaign but has impressed when called upon by Brendan Rodgers.

His versatility will also be of use to Southgate. Justin is typically deployed at right-back but is also able to play on the left side of defence, while in previous campaigns he has been used in midfield and even on the wing.

Justin’s Leicester team-mate James Maddison once again misses out, however.

Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewis is another high-profile absentee. The 25-year-old was seen as captain Harry Kane’s principal understudy at Euro 2020 but has fallen down Southgate’s pecking order after a difficult campaign at Everton.

Abraham meanwhile returns to Southgate’s squad after missing out on the March internationals through injury.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed a record-breaking debut campaign for Jose Mourinho’s Roma, scoring 17 goals in 37 Serie A appearances. No Englishman has ever scored more in a single Italian league campaign.

Tomori, who won the Scudetto with AC Milan, also features.

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Burnley), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Coady (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), James Justin (Leicester City), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ben White (Arsenal).

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Gallagher (Crystal Palace), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United), Declan Rice (West Ham United), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton).

Forwards: Tammy Abraham (Roma), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City).

(Photo: Getty Images)

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