While the official squad isn’t due to be released until 2pm this afternoon, it’s already been leaked that Gareth Southgate a raft of new faces have been called into the England fold for the upcoming friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy.
According to myriad embargo-breaking whispers, Burnley duo Nick Pope and James Tarkowski have both been handed their first England nods having never previously represented their country at any level…
Been sworn to secrecy but it’s out, Nick Pope and James Tarkowski in the England squad to be named at 2 pm. News on back of tomorrow’s @BXSport which went to print this morning
— Chris Boden (@bodenknights) March 15, 2018
Nice to see Southgate giving preference to players in form, rather than players ingrained.
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin will reportedly be given his first senior call-up after Harry Kane’s ankle injury freed up a striker’s berth.
There’s also a recall for Jack Wilshere, who receives his first international nod since that dismal night in Nice when mighty Iceland muscled England out of Euro 2016.
We’ll keep you posted…