England confirm 25-player squad for final two games of 2023
- Gareth Southgate names 25-player England squad for November games
- Three Lions to face Malta & North Macedonia in Euro 2024 qualifiers
- Raheem Sterling, Eddie Nketiah & John Stones among those missing out
England manager Gareth Southgate has selected his final squad of 2023 for this month's European Championship qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.
The Three Lions, finalists at the delayed Euro 2020 tournament just over two years ago, have already secured their place at Euro 2024 next summer after dropping only two points from six games so far.
But Southgate and his team will be keen to finish on a high and remain unbeaten, both in qualifying matches and across all fixtures in 2023 - England last lost a game in December 2022 at the World Cup, falling to eventual runners-up France in a 2-1 quarter-final defeat.
John Stones and Eddie Nketiah miss the cut through injury, while Raheem Sterling's form also sees him remain at home - the Chelsea star hasn't been called up since the World Cup. Callum Wilson returns, while Al Ettifaq midfielder Jordan Henderson, booed by England fans last month, is included.
Chelsea captain Reece James, now back to full fitness after missing most of the 2023/24 season so far, is reported to have asked not to be selected to allow him more time to regain sharpness.
England's 25-player squad for November qualifiers
Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).
Defenders: Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Man City).
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Al Ettifaq), Kalvin Phillips (Man City), Declan Rice (Arsenal).
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Man City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Callum Wilson (Newcastle).
When are England's games in 2024?
The Euro 2024 qualifying group stage will finish this month and England, having secured their place in Germany next summer, will not need to play any further games in that respect.
The Three Lions have booked two friendlies at Wembley in the first international break of 2024, which will take place in the last week of March, against Brazil and Belgium. At least a couple of pre-tournament warm-up friendlies are likely to be scheduled for early June in due course.
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