TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD has been AXED from Gareth Southgate’s matchday England squad for tonight’s game against Germany.
But Ivan Toney is IN, and could make his Three Lions debut at Wembley.
Alexander-Arnold has been left out after being an unused sub in the 1-0 defeat to Italy on Friday.
The omission comes after former Chelsea star Frank Leboeuf slammed Alexander-Arnold as “Championship level” defensively.
He told Journal du Dimanche: “Look at Trent Alexander-Arnold. I love the guy, his offensive qualities. But defensively, he’s Championship level.”
Alexander-Arnold is fit to play the game and has taken part in all training sessions, according to The Athletic.
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But the defender has been omitted from the matchday squad.
Elsewhere, Jarrod Bowen, Fikayo Tomori and James Ward-Prowse also miss out for this evening’s Nations League clash against Germany.
England’s official Twitter account asked fans to make their team for the game using pictures of Tomori and Ward-Prowse, despite neither being in the matchday squad.
Jack Grealish will not be involved too as he serves a suspension after picking up a yellow card during the defeat in Milan.
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Liverpool ace Alexander-Arnold will not play for the Three Lions before the World Cup kicks off in November.
Toney though will be hoping to impress Southgate enough to secure a seat on the plane, if he features at Wembley.
The 26-year-old received his first England call-up after a brilliant start to the Premier League season with Brentford.
But he was then left out of the matchday squad to face Italy.
Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips, Marc Guehi, Ben Chilwell and John Stones were also not in the matchday squad on Friday.
After leaving Toney out of the team to play the Azzurri, Southgate cast doubt over the striker’s involvement in today’s game over the weekend.
He said: “I understand the push as it is so close to the World Cup but there is life for Ivan Toney beyond the World Cup as well.
“He is very much in the frame and what he does with his club between now and then is also really important.
“First and foremost, it has been great for Ivan to be with us and see how we work. Everybody wants to get into the team and on to the pitch.
“But you have a better chance of doing that if you have been in the group longer and are used to how we play and feel more comfortable with the players.”
Now though Toney is poised to make his Three Lions debut after being named in the 23-man squad for this evening’s Nations League clash against Germany.
It’s the last chance for Southgate’s stars to impress in an England shirt ahead of the World Cup.
The Three Lions kick off their campaign in Qatar on November 21 against Iran.
That will be followed by a clash with USA four days later, before they take on Wales in their final Group B game on November 29.
And Southgate has admitted he could be given the BOOT if his side flop at the tournament.
He said: “Ultimately, I will be judged on what happens at the World Cup.
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“Contracts are irrelevant as managers can have three, four or five-year deals but you accept that if results are not good enough, it is time to go your separate ways.
“Why would I be any different? I am not arrogant enough to think my contract is going to protect me in any way.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
