Fans demand genius Phil Foden be urgently called up by England for World Cup

SIDELINED footie genius Phil Foden was at the centre of an England fan clamour for an urgent World Cup call-up earlier tonight.

Supporters, backed by ex-stars and pundits, were baffled as to why the country’s most gifted and in-form star has sat on the subs’ bench in Qatar.

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The brilliant Manchester City playmaker has had just 19 minutes of action after coming on as Gareth Southgate’s men coasted to a 6-2 triumph over Iran.

He was an unused sub as England’s creative spark fizzled out in Friday’s dire 0-0 draw against the USA.

Southgate was under pressure tonight to start the 22-year-old maestro in Tuesday’s Battle of Britain against Wales.

His trickery, technical skills and vision are seen by many as key to unlocking stubborn defences in later rounds.

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Fans in Qatar ramped up calls for a Foden fillip tonight.

Businessman Mark Hillman, 46, from Shepherd’s Bush, West London, said: “We were awful against the USA and he still didn’t get a kick.”

Steve Gallacher said: “Foden would play for Brazil.”

Richard Innes questioned why he could not get in an England team “which can’t string three passes together”.

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Even Brazil fan Guilherme Fidalgo Neves said: “We easily could find a place for him.”

Three Lions legends have also been queuing up to blast his exclusion.

Wayne Rooney said: “I think if you have a talent like Foden, you simply have to play him.”

Michael Owen said he was “astonished” Foden was not in the team.

Meanwhile, England striker Marcus Rashford said he was “raring to go” to face Wales — and make fans forget the USA bore draw.

Marcus, 25, has come on as a sub twice and bagged a brilliant goal with his first touches against Iran.

Despite the US draw, England need only to avoid losing by four goals against the unfancied Welsh to reach the last 16.

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But they need a win to ensure they top the group and land a smoother path through the knockout stages.

Wales need to win by four to advance, or by any margin if Iran and the US draw.