Southgate reveals England squad with Henderson keeping place despite Saudi move, shock Arsenal call-up but no Sterling

GARETH SOUTHGATE has named his 26-man England squad for the matches against Ukraine and Scotland.

Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire have kept their places, there is a shock call-up for Eddie Nketiah but surprisingly no place for in-form Raheem Sterling.

Henderson has kept his place in the side despite joining Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia.

The former Liverpool captain completed a move to the Middle East earlier this summer.

His international career had appeared in doubt at the time, despite Henderson speaking to Southgate about his England future before leaving Anfield.

Nketiah has also been handed a surprise first call-up by Southgate.

The Arsenal striker is the all-time England under-21 top scorer with 16 goals.

Nketiah has scored twice in three appearances for the Gunners so far this season.

Elsewhere, Maguire also remains in the squad, but faces pressure from newcomer Levi Colwill.

The Chelsea defender has been included in the senior squad for the first time in his career.

FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS

He previously trained with Southgate’s side back in June before winning the under-21 Euros with the Young Lions.

Maguire remains in the side despite his lack of action at Manchester United.

The 30-year-old has yet to play this season and is free to leave the Red Devils.

He had looked set to join West Ham in a £30million deal before the transfer collapsed.

Raheem Sterling has once again missed out, having not played for England since the World Cup.

The decision is something with a surprise with Sterling, 28, looking electric for Chelsea so far this season, even bagging a brace against Luton.

Following the squad announcement, a spokesman for Sterling said: “Raheem will revert to the coach for all comment but would like to reinforce that the decision has been respected.

“Raheem will continue to focus on his domestic form.”

England will play two matches next month, starting with a Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine in Poland on September 9.

The Three Lions will then take on old rivals Scotland at Hampden Park three days later.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk