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England squad for Nations League CONFIRMED with debut call-ups for two players as Southgate considers new options
GARETH SOUTHGATE has handed first call-ups to Jarrod Bowen and James Justin in his 27-man England squad for the upcoming Nations League matches.
The Three Lions face Hungary twice in June, while they also battle Italy and Germany in Group A3.
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And Southgate has decided to hand debut call-ups to West Ham winger Bowen and Leicester's versatile full-back James Justin.
Hammers forward Bowen is fully deserving of his place in the squad after chipping in with 18 goals and 13 assists in 51 games in all competitions this term.
Discussing Bowen, Southgate remarked: "He’s a goal threat, he’s direct, his journey is really interesting in terms of the experiences he’s had.
"It's a reminder that you don’t just have to be at an elite academy and come through that pathway, playing in the lower divisions and to have that experience is a great route to go.
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"He works incredibly hard for the team, which we want all our forward players top do. He’s thoroughly deserved his call up."
With Luke Shaw, Ben Chilwell and Tyrick Mitchell left out of the squad, Justin - capable of playing a right or left-back, has been included.
The ex-Luton ace only featured 13 times in the Premier League this term after a knee injury kept him out until January.
Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope are the three goalkeepers named in the squad, with Fraser Forster and Dean Henderson left out.
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Fikayo Tomori has deservingly earned a recall to the squad after helping AC Milan win their first Serie A title since 2011.
His former Chelsea team-mate Marc Guehi has kept his place after impressing in his opening year at Crystal Palace.
Despite his poor form for Manchester United, Harry Maguire remains in the squad having never let England down on the international stage.
Fellow centre-backs Ben White, Conor Coady and John Stones also make the cut, while Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings has been dropped.
And there is no place in the team for Tottenham's Eric Dier who has enjoyed a renaissance under Antonio Conte.
The 28-year-old has not represented his country now since 2020.
And Southgate has once again went right-back happy with Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James and Kieran Trippier included.
Though it is likely that Newcastle's January signing Trippier will be deployed on the opposite side for the upcoming matches.
Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice and James Ward-Prowse are the central midfielders included.
Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson and Arsenal attacking midfielder Emile Smith Rowe miss out.
Commenting on Henderson, Southgate has insisted he has been rested due to the amount of games he has played for the Reds.
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He said: "I don't need to know anything more about him [ahead of World Cup]. He’s 32 and played every game for Liverpool."
There are no surprises up top with captain Harry Kane in the team, with Tammy Abraham to provide competition up top.
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Along with Bowen, fellow forwards Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish are named.
Due to their poor form, Red Devils duo Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho have been left out.
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