England supervisor Gareth Southgate has picked uncapped striker Ivan Toney within the squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers in opposition to Italy and Ukraine this month.
Brentford’s Toney, 27, is the second-highest English goalscorer within the Premier League this season with 16 targets, behind Tottenham’s Harry Kane.
Nonetheless, he’s going through a possible ban from the sport having accepted breaking Football Association betting rules.
England journey to Italy on 23 March and host Ukraine at Wembley on 26 March.
The matches shall be England’s first since they have been knocked out by France on the quarter-final stage of the 2022 World Cup in December.
Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is certainly one of 5 gamers picked for the match in Qatar who should not in Southgate’s newest 25-man squad.
The others are defenders Conor Coady and Ben White, whereas striker Callum Wilson and the injured Raheem Sterling additionally miss out.
Chelsea’s right-back Reece James and left-back Ben Chilwell missed the World Cup by means of damage however return to the squad, together with Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
Toney was charged with 232 betting breaches in November and a further 30 in December, and a disciplinary listening to has but to happen.
“He’s taking part in for his membership and accessible for them,” mentioned Southgate. “There hasn’t been a trial or any judgement so I do not know on what foundation we would not choose him.
“Ivan has been constant throughout the season. He’s taking part in very well. I like his presence in video games.”
Toney was picked within the squad for England’s Nations League qualifiers with Italy and Germany final 12 months however didn’t play.
The ahead has helped Brentford to eighth within the Premier League and scored the equaliser in a 1-1 draw with top-flight leaders Arsenal in February.
“I noticed his recreation in opposition to Arsenal the place he was excellent and he deserves his alternative,” Southgate added.
‘Proper-back the toughest place to choose’
On the omission of White and Alexander-Arnold, the England supervisor mentioned: “It is related with Ben and Trent actually. There are three boys which are in as right-backs, we have got them simply forward of these two.
“We’re blessed in that place with a depth of expertise and it is the toughest place to choose, albeit it is by no means easy standards and it is at all times shifting round a bit bit on type.”
Manchester Metropolis right-back Kyle Walker has been picked, despite Cheshire Police launching an investigation after a newspaper alleged he indecently uncovered himself in a bar.
“It’s a sophisticated state of affairs, I’ve spoken at size with him,” mentioned Southgate.
“He’s again taking part in together with his membership, there isn’t any conclusive proof to go away him out at this stage. I’ve to watch out on being the ethical decide on issues.
“We now have had a few lengthy conversations, we really feel we would like him with us, however we all know whenever you’re an England participant there may be a good larger bar on the way you conduct yourselves and what’s anticipated.
“We aren’t taking these selections calmly.”
England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Defenders: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester Metropolis), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester Metropolis)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Maddison (Leicester Metropolis), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester Metropolis), Declan Rice (West Ham)
Forwards: Phil Foden (Manchester Metropolis), Jack Grealish (Manchester Metropolis), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford)
