Eddie Nketiah earns England call-up as Raheem Sterling snubbed by Southgate

31 August 2023 , 13:00

994 0

Raheem Sterling has been left out of England's squad for next month's Euro qualifier with Ukraine and friendly in Scotland.

Chelsea star Sterling was hoping to be back in the party for the double header after making himself available and getting fit again. Sterling agreed to sit out the England games in June to regain full fitness and sharpness after a difficult season.

That had been hoped to help him recharge his batteries but Gareth Southgate has not given him a recall. There is a call-up for Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah who is in the seniors for the first time having been prolific at under-21 level.

Jordan Henderson keeps his place despite moving to Saudi Arabia. Henderson spoke with Southgate before completing the switch, receiving assurances it would not impact his international future. So it has proved, with Harry Maguire also involved despite doubts in the light of his Man Utd struggles.

England take on Ukraine in Poland on September 9, as they look to keep up their 100 per cent record in Euro 2024 qualifying. After that comes a 'heritage' friendly against Scotland at Hampden Park to mark the 150 years which have passed since the two met in the first ever senior international match in 1872.

Cas star Jacob Miller says Trinity's Lewis Murphy has "nothing to lose" in NRL

England have won four out of four in Euros qualifying, and have all but made sure of their place at Euro 2024 in Germany. That includes a 2-0 victory over Ukraine at Wembley in March, with Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka on the scoresheet.

The summer internationals saw England run riot against Malta and North Macedonia. They put seven past the latter, with Bukayo Saka scoring his first career hat-trick.

Do you agree with Gareth Southgate's picks? Have your say in the comments section

Raheem Sterling misses out despite his fast start to the season (Ashley Western/Colorsport/REX/Shutterstock)

"I can never guarantee a player we're going to pick them," Southgate said earlier in the summer. At the time, he was being quizzed on Harry Maguire's future after the centre-back struggled for minutes last season.

Maguire has been the subject of interest from West Ham, with David Moyes' side at one point appearing close to a £30m move. He has stayed at Man Utd, though, with the Hammers looking elsewhere.

"It's [Maguire and John Stones ] a partnership that's worked brilliantly for us, so we recognise that, but there's always new challenges coming through," the manager explained. "There are some good young centre backs coming through who are slowly picking up experience and that is going to be the challenge going forward."

Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defenders: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Lewis Dunk (Brighton & Hove Albion), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), 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: Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur), Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Callum Wilson (Newcastle United)