World cup qualifiers: England drops three key players

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Gareth Southgate will name his England squad for his final two World Cup qualifiers today with the Three Lions hoping to seal qualification to Qatar this month.

The England boss is boosted by the return to fitness of several key stars who missed the October international break, including defenders Harry Maguire, Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold, along with Man United duo Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford.

With Southgate one year away from naming his World Cup squad for Qatar, should England get there of course, there could be first recalls for the likes of Crystal Palace midfielder Connor Gallagher and Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe.

All of the aforementioned players will be hoping for a Three Lions recall, leaving out-of-form players such as Jadon Sancho, Jesse Lingard and Tyrone Mings sweating for their places ahead of the 2pm announcement on Thursday afternoon.

Follow Sportsmail’s SAM BLITZ for live updates as Gareth Southgate names his England squad for the final two World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino.

How Sportsmail have covered it…

And here’s how Sportsmail’s SAMI MOKBEL has reported on this latest England squad, with disappointments for Jesse Lingard and Jadon Sancho..

The squad in full

Here’s a full list of the current England squad for the November internationals:

Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (West Bromwich Albion), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United), Declan Rice (West Ham United), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)

Forwards: Tammy Abraham (AS Roma), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City.

Greenwood did not snub England call

On 2021 as a football year: We would have played more international games than any team in the past. We want to qualify from the group but that comes as a consequence to performances. We want to hit the levels of this year.

Did Mason Greenwood turn down a call-up? We haven’t discussed it this month. We met with him this month and totally understand where he is. We said last month with young players their pathway and load is different. He’s at a massive football club with massive expectation. He recognises that is part of making it at international football. We want to get it right with young players. This happens with most players at this age. It’s very familiar path for us in youth development.

Southgate has spoken to Hudson-Odoi

On the team: We have trust in this group. We know the level they can get to and the experience they have. We picked the players can help us do that job. We have to get the right results and get us over the line to qualification.

On Hudson-Odoi: I had a good chat with Callum last month. To go a second U21 cycle is another challenge. But he wants to back himself with his Chelsea form. He misses a bit of an opportunity to impress us. He’s had a couple of good matches for Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel is guarded about how much he goes with praise. It’s good to see him back playing reguarly at first team level. We are constantly watching him.