HARRY MAGUIRE has been named in England’s 24-man Nations League squad after apologising to his team-mates for his Mykonos bust-up.
Maguire was arrested last week following an alleged brawl with an Albanian “gangster” who is claimed to have injected his sister Daisy with a “rape drug”, causing her to faint.
Harry Maguire has been named in Southgate’s England squadCredit: EPA
Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Iceland and Denmark
The Manchester United defender, 27, pleaded not guilty to all charges in court – with the maximum sentence five years in prison.
Despite calls for him to be axed, Southgate has named Old Trafford skipper Maguire in his group for September’s games against Iceland and Denmark.
On Maguire’s call-up, Southgate revealed: “It is clearly a decision that is not straightforward and a decision that in the end I could only take on the information I have.
“I have spoken with Harry, I have the insight to the story which is very different to what is being recorded.
“You can only make decisions on facts you are aware of.
“If facts or information changes I will have to review that decision, but I have a fantastic relationship with the boy, he has been a fantastic character for us – he has my support at this moment.
“I’m not going to get into hypotheticals of what might happen, but I have got to reserve the right to review if further information becomes available.
“You always make decisions to the best of your ability given the information you have.
“People may agree or disagree with those decisions, but it is a position where every manger finds himself.
“Harry regrets the fact he has brought that sort of focus and attention to the team – he apologised for that – but also has his own side of the story.”
Kalvin Phillips has earned his first England call-upCredit: PA:Press Association
Amongst the regulars, there are also debut call-ups for Man Utd wonderkid Mason Greenwood and Leeds star Kalvin Phillips.
Jack Grealish misses out on a first-ever England call-up in a new-look squad, with Manchester City star Phil Foden named.
Conor Coady has also been snubbed out despite his incredible season at Wolves.
Raheem Sterling is also in the squad, despite attending Usain Bolt’s 34th birthday party in Jamaica – with the ex-sprint king since isolating after taking a coronavirus test.
Uncapped Dean Henderson joins Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope as the goalkeepers.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka misses out, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier preferred.
Mason Greenwood also makes his first-ever senior England squadCredit: PA:Press Association
GARETH SOUTHGATE: On Foden and Greenwood
Southgate said: “They have been involved with England with the junior teams.
“It’s a step up for them but they are both more than capable.
“They have shown playing in big matches, for big clubs, that they are talented boys.
“They are both hugely exciting players who can be part of England’s future. It is up to them to take it forward.
“It is now the right time a year away from the European Championships.
“Let’s see if they can start to break into that team and that squad.”
Ben Chilwell misses out through injury, with no natural left-back in the squad.
Joe Gomez is likely to deputise, after United youngster Brandon Williams and Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka missed out.
Premier League winning captain Jordan Henderson is also ruled out, with the likes of Phillips and Foden targeting their international debuts.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Maddison are both also injured.
Grealish is a shock omission from the group, with the likes of Greenwood, Sancho and Sterling preferred in the wide positions.
Danny Ings is named as one of the strikers, along with Harry Kane, Tammy Abraham and Marcus Rashford.
Elsewhere, John Stones, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Fikayo Tomori, Danny Rose and Callum Wilson have missed out.
Earlier this month, Maguire jetted to Mykonos after United crashed out of the Europa League to Sevilla, hitting the bars and clubs with friends.
Maguire and his pals racked up a huge £63,000 bill in just five hours during their three-day binge leading up to the brawl.
He is a player we have watched a lot with Leeds. The position he plays is one where we need competition. It’s an exciting moment for him. It’s a proud moment for him, his family and his club.
Southgate on Phillips call-up
Southgate has stuck with Harry Maguire despite his Mykonos arrestCredit: PA:Press Association
Phil Foden will also hope to earn his first England capCredit: PA:Press Association
Meanwhile, Sterling earlier tested negative for coronavirus after partying with Bolt at the Olympic legend’s birthday bash.
A source close to the Manchester City ace claimed he was “feeling fine and showing no symptoms”.
Sterling, 25, will be tested again before linking up with the Three Lions squad on Sunday.
The winger, who was born in Jamaica, flew out to his home on the island after City lost their Champions League quarter-final against Lyon.
His spot in Southgate’s squad had appeared to be in jeopardy after he was pictured at Bolt’s birthday celebrations in Jamaica on Friday after which the ex-sprinter was involved a Covid-19 scare.
The Sun can reveal party is now under police investigation.
England take on Iceland and Denmark in the first matches of their 2020-21 Nations League campaign next month.
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Harry Maguire brawled with man who stabbed sister in arm with metal straw when she rejected him
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
