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England manager Gareth Southgate has called up West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen and Leicester City’s James Justin for the first time, while Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori return.
The Three Lions face Germany, Italy and Hungary next month in the Nations League, with England confirming a 27-man squad on Tuesday.
Bowen, who scored 18 goals for West Ham this season to help David Moyes’ side finish seventh in the Premier League and reach the Europa League semi-finals, “was in the frame” to be called up in March, according to Southgate, but did not make the cut.
Only Harry Kane scored more goals in all competitions over the 2021-22 season among Englishmen in the Premier League.
Leicester full-back Justin is a surprise choice, though his ability to fill in at left-back may have seen him get the nod, with Luke Shaw having missed the end of the season due to injury and Ben Chilwell only making his Chelsea comeback on Sunday.
Jordan Henderson does not feature despite being set to play in this weekend’s Champions League final with Liverpool, though his club-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold is included. Tyrone Mings and Eric Dier miss out in defence.
“We felt like Hendo [Henderson] we didn’t need to see this summer. Trent is slightly different,” Southgate told a news conference on Tuesday.
Tomori, who has enjoyed a brilliant season with Serie A champions Milan, is called up in Mings’ place, while another English player to thrive in Serie A this season – Roma striker Abraham – is also present.
A first-half double against Torino on Friday saw Abraham become the highest-scoring English player in a single season in the Italian top flight, surpassing the previous mark of 16 set by Gerald Hitchens at Inter in 1961-62.
Kyle Walker makes his return after recovering from injury, while Kieran Trippier is also recalled. Reece James figures as well in a defence stacked with right-backs.
Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is included, though Southgate confirmed the centre-back has a knock, while Harry Maguire is the only Manchester United player to feature in the squad, with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho unsurprisingly absent again.
Similarly, there is no place for Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe, while James Maddison has been overlooked despite a strong season with Leicester.
England begin their Nations League campaign against Hungary on June 4, before taking on Germany in Munich three days later.
Italy face the Three Lions at Molineux on June 11 in a repeat of the Euro 2020 final, while Hungary also visit Wolverhampton on June 14.
England squad in full: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Burnley), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal); 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 (Milan), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ben White (Arsenal); Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Gallagher (Crystal Palace, on loan from Chelsea), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United), Declan Rice (West Ham), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton); Tammy Abraham (Roma), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City).
