GARETH SOUTHGATE has named his England squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers – and there IS space for both Ivan Toney and Kyle Walker.
But Ben White and Raheem Sterling miss out.
In the England boss’ first squad announcement since the World Cup, Southgate picked 25 stars.
Incredibly, it will be his shortest-ever window with the Three Lions players as they will be on duty for just six days.
They meet up at St George’s Park on Monday, play Italy on Thursday and travel home straight after Sunday’s clash against Ukraine at Wembley.
Southgate agonised over in-form Brentford striker Toney, who under usual circumstances would be a shoo-in.
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Uncapped Toney faces a six-month ban from the FA after breaching betting rules.
Yet Southgate was told he can still pick him because he has yet to be formally found guilty and punished.
Toney, 27, boasts 17 goals this term having netted in last night’s 2-0 win at Southampton and Southgate was at Everton on Saturday to watch the Bees’ 1-0 defeat.
Southgate said: “He is playing for his club and he hasn’t been on trial yet or any judgement so I don’t know on what basis we wouldn’t pick him.
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“Before the World Cup, Callum Wilson had a brilliant run of form and he has obviously had a little bit of an injury which has inhibited his performances but Ivan has been consistent this season.
“He is playing really well. I like his presence in games and his match at Arsenal was outstanding and he deserves his opportunity.”
The Three Lions chief also stuck with Manchester City right-back Walker, even though the 32-year-old faces a police probe over a video of him drunkenly dropping his trousers and flashing in a Manchester bar.
Despite excelling for Arsenal, there were question marks over White’s involvement following his early return home during Qatar 2022 for personal reasons.
And he has been left out for the two March games in Naples and then at Wembley.
Sterling, meanwhile, misses out due to fitness.
Ollie Watkins, Fikayo Tomori and Brighton duo Levi Colwill and Solly March all pushed hard for a place with strong form in the build-up to the international break.
But the quartet, as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold, have been left disappointed and will stay with their respective clubs.
Southgate added: “It is a complicated situation. I have spoken to Kyle at length and the fact is, as we sit here, is that he is back playing with his club and there is no conclusive evidence to leave him out at this stage.
“You have to be very careful about being the moral judge on things.
“We have had a couple of long conversations and feel we want him with us and that is the right thing to do but with being an England international, there is an even higher bar on how you conduct yourself and what is expected.
“We are not taking those decisions lightly.
“With Ben, it is similar for Ben and Trent.
“We have players ahead of those two and we are blessed with talent.
“Kyle and Tripps were the ones who played during the World Cup and have been consistent while Reece James has come back.”
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James Maddison will get another shot at adding to his solo cap from 2019 after his knee injury during the World Cup.
James and Ben Chilwell are back in after recovering while Marc Guehi and Conor Gallagher got the nod to join the regulars.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
