Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson, a 31-year-old striker, secures a coveted position in the England squad for the impending Euro 2024 qualifiers, as announced by manager Gareth Southgate.
Despite an impressive seven-goal tally in the Premier League this season, Wilson faces a setback with a hamstring injury sustained during Newcastle’s defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
In a display of managerial confidence, Southgate also includes Tottenham’s James Maddison and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, both grappling with injury concerns. The upcoming challenges for England include matches against Malta on November 17 and North Macedonia on November 20.
Having already secured a berth in the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany next June and July following a triumphant 3-1 victory against Italy in October, Southgate’s squad decisions continue to raise eyebrows. Notably, Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling finds himself excluded for the fifth consecutive time, while Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins retains his spot after a hiatus since March 2022.
Jordan Henderson, now with Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq post his July departure from Liverpool, maintains his position in the squad. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah and Manchester City’s John Stones face exclusion due to injuries.
During his recent news conference, Southgate emphasizes the open door policy for Sterling and other unselected players, acknowledging their crucial contributions to England’s recent successes. He underscores the team’s exceptional form and the challenges he faces in deciding who to leave out.
Adding a layer of complexity to the squad dynamics, Chelsea’s Reece James voluntarily withdraws from consideration, expressing that he doesn’t feel “quite ready” despite his recent return to action after grappling with a hamstring issue.
