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West Ham United forward Jarrod Bowen has earned his first ever England call-up for next month’s Nations League matches but Manchester United‘s Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho have not been included once again.
England boss Gareth Southgate named a 27-man group on Tuesday for four games which begin with trips to Hungary and Germany before hosting Italy and the return fixture against Hungary at Molineux.
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Bowen has been in superb form for the West Ham this season, registering 12 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League.
“We were certainly thinking about involving him [Bowen] in March before he got injured,” Southgate told a news conference at Wembley. “He’s a goal threat, he’s direct,” he added of Bowen who came through the ranks at Hereford United and Hull City.
“His journey is really interesting in terms of experiences he’s had. It’s a reminder you don’t just have to be at an elite academy and come through that pathway. Playing in the lower divisions and to have that experience is a great route to go.
“He works incredibly hard for the team, which we want all our forward players to do. He’s thoroughly deserved his call up.”
Rashford and Sancho have both missed out on selection for the second consecutive time after United’s disappointing campaign concluded with a 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on the final day of the Premier League season but Harry Maguire keeps his place.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings also miss out on a place in Southgate’s squad.
“[Henderson] played 60 plus games this season,” Southgate added. “He’s going into the Champions League final as well. He’s 32 years old. I don’t need to know any more about him either. Everybody else is getting a week off now.”
Leicester City defender James Justin has also been called up to the senior team for the first time in his career after returning in January from a year out with a serious knee injury.
There was no place for Justin’s Leicester teammate James Maddison while Arsenal‘s Emile Smith Rowe was also omitted but AC Milan‘s Fikayo Tomori, Leeds United‘s Kalvin Phillips, Newcastle United‘s Kieran Trippier and Manchester City‘s Kyle Walker have all been recalled — meaning there are five recognised right-backs selected.
Maddison had been hopeful of breaking into the squad after finishing the season by scoring in each of his final four games, ending the season with 16 goals and 11 assists — the best record by a Leicester player since Riyad Mahrez in 2017-18.
“We just feel that we’re very happy with the players that have been with us in that area of the pitch,” Southgate said. “He’s competing with [Mason] Mount, [Phil] Foden, those types, in the role where he’s at his best. There are a couple of positions where there’s a lot of strength in depth, and there will always be a player you don’t pick, but to do that you’d have to leave somebody out, and they will probably be equally or more deserving.”
However, his wait for a first call-up since November 2019 but Tomori is included having last featured for England in October 2021, shortly after he left Chelsea to join Milan, who went on to win their first Serie A title in 11 years with the centre-back playing a pivotal role.
Phillips missed 16 matches for Leeds between December and March with a calf injury but returns to the international setup having been named England’s Player of the Year after playing a pivotal role in last summer’s run to the Euro 2020 final.
Walker was rested for the last camp in March but returns to the group as Southgate planned at the time while Trippier, who scored in England’s 2018 World Cup semifinal defeat to Croatia, is recalled after being sidelined for 13 games with a metatarsal fracture.
England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Burnley), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Coady (Wolves), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), James Justin (Leicester City), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ben White (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Gallagher (Crystal Palace), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United), Declan Rice (West Ham United), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
Forwards: Tammy Abraham (AS Roma), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)