MY ACCOUNT
Tyrick Mitchell and Kyle Walker-Peters have both been called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the first time.
The uncapped full-backs are joined by West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins to replace four stars who have been forced to withdraw through injury.
Aaron Ramsdale, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James and Tammy Abraham are the quartet unable to feature in the two upcoming friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast.
But their absence has presented an unexpected opportunity to Crystal Palace youngster Mitchell and Southampton’s Walker-Peters, who have both impressed in the Premier League this term.
Mitchell, 22, has started all 29 of the Eagles’ league matches this campaign and gets his call-up having never featured for his country at youth level.
He joins some familiar faces in the camp with fellow Palace stars Marc Guehi and Conor Gallagher both called up last Thursday.
Speaking after the initial announcement, Southgate admitted that Mitchell was very much in his thoughts.
He said: “Tyrick, we’ve been really impressed with. He was very close.
“I think he’s been very good with his defending, he gets out quickly to people and in the biggest games against top opponents he’s coped really well.”
Meanwhile, ex-Tottenham prospect Walker-Peters, 24, amassed caps for the Three Lions at various age groups and was part of Paul Simpson’s Under-20 World Cup-winning side back in 2017.
He has featured on both flanks for the Saints this term and netted his first top-flight goal in January’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City.
Arsenal stopper Ramsdale (hip) and Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold (hamstring) are both expected to be sidelined until mid-April, while James and Abraham’s issues are thought to be less concerning.
Southgate has opted to rest Manchester City defender Kyle Walker, while there was no place for Manchester United duo Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho.
Euro 2020 quarter-finalists Switzerland are first to head to Wembley on Saturday evening, before a first ever clash with Ivory Coast three days later.
