ASTON VILLA striker Ollie Watkins has been picked for England for the first time.
Gareth Southgate has also recalled Jesse Lingard and picked Jude Bellingham despite the FA’s row with Borussia Dortmund for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has been dropped after his poor form for the Reds. And West Brom keeper Sam Johnstone has also received his first ever call-up with Jordan Pickford out injured.
Manchester rivals Luke Shaw (United) and John Stones (City) are playing the best football of their careers and have been given the nod for the first time since 2018 and 2019 respectively.
The Three Lions face San Marino (h), Albania (a) and Poland (h) before the end of March as they attempt to qualify for Qatar 2022.
Lingard has been in scintillating form since joining West Ham from Manchester United on loan in January.
The midfielder has not played for the Three Lions since 2019.
But his four goals and two assists in six games for David Moyes’ side has seen him recalled.
Watkins has 12 goals and three assists from 30 games for Villa this season and has been widely backed for an England bow.
And elsewhere, the FA will be hopeful Dortmund soften their stance over Bellingham, 17.
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Gareth Southgate has named his England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland.
GOALKEEPERS
Dean Henderson – Man Utd
Sam Johnstone – West Brom
Nick Pope – Burnley
DEFENDERS
Ben Chilwell – Chelsea
Conor Coady – Wolves
Eric Dier – Tottenham
Reece James – Chelsea
Harry Maguire – Man Utd
Tyrone Mings – Aston Villa
Luke Shaw – Man Utd
John Stones – Man City
Kieran Trippier – Atletico Madrid
Kyle Walker – Man City
MIDFIELDERS
Jude Bellingham – Borussia Dortmund
Phil Foden – Man City
Jesse Lingard – West Ham
Mason Mount – Chelsea
Kalvin Phillips – Leeds
Declan Rice – West Ham
James Ward-Prowse – Southampton
FORWARDS
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – Everton
Harry Kane – Tottenham
Marcus Rashford – Man Utd
Bukayo Saka – Arsenal
Raheem Sterling – Man City
Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa
The England camp were on Monday assured by officials at Dortmund that they would be OK to pick Bellingham.
They believed he would not have to quarantine for 14 days when returning to Germany after the three matches.
But after speaking to their local health officials, Dortmund altered their stance.
And they insisted they would not allow Bellingham to join up with the England squad or Gio Reyna with the United States.
The FA believe the situation is fluid and could change in their favour. In Germany, there is not an overall countrywide ruling over quarantine as each region decides on its own health laws.
Bellingham has 22 starts for Dortmund since his £30million move from Birmingham last summer.
He made his senior Three Lions debut in November’s 3-0 friendly win over Ireland.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
