England Bring Back Bukayo Saka But Bellingham, Phil Foden & Jack Grealish Are Omitted

Bukayo Saka in action

Bukayo Saka has scored 12 goals in 44 appearances for England.

The national side have called up Bukayo Saka for next week's fixtures against Latvia and Wales, however no room for Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden or Jack Grealish.

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka missed the previous qualifier victories against Serbia and Andorra due to a hamstring issue.

Saka recently returned for his club and scored in their 2-0 win against the Greek side on Wednesday.

The England international comes in for Arsenal team-mate Madueke, who is sidelined until November with a knee problem.

The Three Lions face the Welsh in a warm-up match at Wembley this week before a World Cup qualifier in Latvia on 14 October.

If England win in Latvia, they will require a maximum of two points from their last two qualifiers against Albania and Serbia in the next month to qualify for the World Cup in North America.

Bayer Leverkusen defender Quansah replaces Newcastle's Tino Livramento, who is out for up to eight weeks following sustaining a knee injury against Arsenal recently.

Anderson and Djed Spence, who earned their first England call-ups previously, retain their places. Ruben Loftus-Cheek also remains in the squad, even with the return to fitness of Wharton.

The attacker has only played one game for Tuchel since taking over as national team boss, because of injury concerns.

The midfielder missed the previous squad as he recovered from shoulder surgery and has managed just a single start for his club since returning to fitness.

Foden was left out from the coach’s last England squad following a loss of form and has been unable to force his way back, despite a impressive beginning to the season with City.

Grealish also misses out in spite of a resurgence on loan at Everton. The 30-year-old has not featured for the national team since last year.

Complete Three Lions Selection

Keepers: Dean Henderson (Palace), Pickford (the Toffees), James Trafford (Manchester City)

Backline: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), James (the Blues), Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (the Gunners), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Spurs), Stones (City)

Midfielders: Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Gibbs-White (Forest), Henderson (the Bees), Loftus-Cheek (AC Milan), Rice (Arsenal), Rogers (Villa)

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Eze (the Gunners), Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern), Rashford (Barcelona), Bukayo Saka (the Gunners), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

'Attention turns to excluded players'

The manager’s latest England squad draws attention on those the boss has left out rather than the included names.

Jude Bellingham's omission may raise some eyebrows but the coach believes there is no rush to recall the Madrid midfielder.

Manchester City's Phil Foden and loanee Jack Grealish have both excelled at the start of the campaign.

The players the manager used in the team’s qualifying victories versus Andorra and Serbia deserve the chance to continue.

There will be disappointment that Arsenal's Madueke is not included because of injury.

Anderson has looked right at home at England senior level.

The England boss is a fan of Grealish, in particular, as well as Foden.

If there is one surprise, it is the absence of Palace’s Wharton.

The star, naturally, will be required in the future.

Lori Jackson
Lori Jackson

A tech enthusiast and lifestyle blogger with a passion for sharing actionable tips and inspiring stories.