England without 10 players due to injury as Gareth Southgate picks two uncapped stars in Three Lions squad

England without 10 players due to injury as Gareth Southgate picks two uncapped stars in Three Lions squad

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Gareth Southgate names latest England squad

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 14/03/2024

- 14:01

Updated: 14/03/2024

- 14:41

The Three Lions will play their final games before Euro 2024 later this month

England boss Gareth Southgate has picked a depleted squad for the two upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.

Jarrad Branthwaite and Anthony Gordon have earned their first call-ups and Ivan Toney has been recalled but there is no place for Kalvin Phillips.


England will play Brazil at Wembley on Saturday March 23 before hosting Belgium at the same venue the following Tuesday.

It will be the final games the Three Lions play ahead of this summer's Euro 2024 tournament in Germany as Southgate aims to go one better than the 2021 final loss to Italy.

Gareth Southgate

England squad: Gareth Southgate has picked his players for the two upcoming friendlies

Getty

Everton centre-back Branthwaite has been rewarded for a strong first full season in the Toffees' team, while Gordon is selected after 16 goal contributions in the Premier League this term.

Toney is in line to win his second cap after returning to action with Brentford following his eight-month ban for breaching the FA's betting rules.

Defender Joe Gomez has been recalled having not for his country since 2020

Jarrod Bowen and Cole Palmer are also named and Jordan Henderson keeps his place in midfield following his January move to Ajax.

But Phillips, who has struggled since joining West Ham on loan, is absent.

Southgate admitted the midfielder's form has not been good enough, saying: "I think he knows exactly what we think of him.

"We've shown that support. A good version of him is an important player for us, and that's why we've supported him as we have.

"We don't have many players of that profile, so, unfortunately, his form just hasn't been good enough. I've spoken to him about that and he understands."

Raheem Sterling has also again been left out by Southgate after missing recent squads.

Southgate is arguably facing the biggest injury crisis in his eight-year reign as England boss.

There are 10 players who have featured in recent squads who are not available to be picked this month.

Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope remains out following surgery on a dislocated shoulder.

Left-back Luke Shaw is out, as are centre-back trio Marc Guehi, Tyrone Mings and Levi Colwill.

Jarrad Branthwaite

England squad: Jarrad Branthwaite has been given his first senior call-up

Getty

Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold are absent, while Reece James is not close to a return after an operation on his hamstring.

Jack Grealish remains out with a groin problem, while Callum Wilson is unlikely to return to action until May after chest surgery.

On the injury situation, Southgate said: "We are inheriting problems from clubs at the moment, it is completely out of our control.

"But we have to adjust and adapt, make the best decisions possible and it gives other people the opportunity to come in and stake a claim. We are always looking at the positive side of things."

Anthony Gordon

England squad: Anthony Gordon has also been called up for the first time

Getty

England squad to play Brazil and Belgium

Goalkeepers: Pickford, Ramsdale, Johnstone

Defenders: Walker, Gomez, Branthwaite, Chilwell, Dunk, Maguire, Stones, Konsa

Midfielders: Bellingham, Rice, Henderson, Gallagher, Maddison

Attackers: Kane, Watkins, Toney, Bowen, Saka, Foden, Palmer, Rashford, Palmer

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