Eberechi Eze makes England squad to face Ukraine and Scotland
England manager Gareth Southgate has included Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire in his squad for September’s games against Ukraine and Scotland.
Midfielder Henderson, 33, has been picked after leaving Liverpool to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq in July.
Centre-back Maguire makes the squad despite not having played for Manchester United so far this season.
England play Ukraine in a Euro 2024 qualifier on 9 September in Poland, and Scotland in a friendly on 12 September.
The game against Scotland at Hampden Park is to mark the 150th anniversary of that fixture.
Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah and Chelsea centre-back Levi Colwill get their first call-ups to the England squad, while midfielder Kalvin Phillips is also included, even though he has yet to play for Manchester City this season.
Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling is again absent, having been left out of England’s last two squads.
Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw and John Stones are out injured, while fellow defenders Ben Chilwell and Fikayo Tomori are recalled.
Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has been listed in midfield, having played there for the wins against North Macedonia and Malta in June.
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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), Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Callum Wilson (Newcastle United)
Sterling is one of England’s most experienced players, having been capped 82 times, but he has not played for the national side since the World Cup quarter-finals in December.
He missed England’s Euro 2024 qualifiers in March with injury and was left out of the summer’s international matches by mutual decision to allow his body to recover.
He has started in Chelsea’s first three Premier League matches, scoring twice and registering an assist in Friday’s 3-0 win over Luton.
Southgate said he did not think any of his attacking players deserved to be left out in place of Sterling.
“Sterling was not available for the last two and of course that’s given other people the opportunity to play well and to establish themselves in the group,” Southgate said.
“It’s a difficult call and Raheem is not particularly happy about it, but I understand that because he’s an important player for us.
“I’m convinced he’s going to have an excellent season with Chelsea.”