Elliot Anderson and Djed Spence have received their first England call-ups, with Trent Alexander-Arnold among those conspicuous by their absence from Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
The Euro 2024 runners-up host Andorra on September 6 before the Group K leaders head to Belgrade to face Serbia on September 9 as World Cup qualification continues.
Tuchel has named a 24-man squad for the double-header, which sees Nottingham Forest midfielder Anderson involved with the senior side for the first time.
The former Newcastle star featured prominently in England’s Under-21 Euros triumph over the summer, while uncapped Tottenham full-back Spence also gets the nod.
Adam Wharton is included in Tuchel’s squad for the first time, but there is no place for Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker, Phil Foden and Ivan Toney.
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Jack Grealish and Harry Maguire continue to be overlooked by the England boss, while injury has ruled out Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill.
Fit-again John Stones is included for the first time since Tuchel took charge, although he spent time with the group in Spain during the June camp as he continued his rehabilitation from a thigh injury.
Thomas Tuchel’s England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Dean Henderson
Defenders: Reece James, Marc Guehi, John Stones, Dan Burn, Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Tino Livramento, Djed Spence
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Jordan Henderson, Adam Wharton, Morgan Rogers, Declan Rice
Forwards: Harry Kane, Eberechi Eze, Jarrod Bowen, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Ollie Watkins
Marcus Rashford, now on loan at Barcelona, returns having missed June’s fixtures through injury but the main talking point is the likes of uncapped Anderson.
Tuchel told the Football Association: ‘Elliot Anderson, very physical, a lot of volume, very precise clean passing, it is a good package.
‘Tino Livramento is also with us based on these observations because they had a fantastic tournament.
‘Elliot was a key player in the tournament, pressed a lot in central midfield, (he’s) a regular player for Nottingham Forest, they had a fantastic season and ended the season with a title for the Under-21s.
‘He has started the season and I guess he is excited to come and join us and I hope he can make his mark.’
Alexander-Arnold’s omission, meanwhile, represents another setback for the 26-year-old who left Liverpool in acrimonious circumstances on a free transfer at the end of last season.
Following a difficult and emotional departure from his boyhood club, Alexander-Arnold has made a slow start to his Real career and faces a battle to win the faith of his new manager Xabi Alonso.
The return to full fitness of club legend Dani Carvajal has hardly helped his cause with the 33-year-old stalwart in no mood to give up his place.
‘The ‘Spanish media have a narrative already on Trent: ‘He’s too shy, he doesn’t fit in, Carvajal will surpass him’, Spanish football expert Guillem Balague told the BBC amid Alexander-Arnold’s struggles that have been exacerbated by this fresh England snub.
‘I hope he hears this. He has a big challenge. We know he can go up and down, but can he adapt to a Xabi Alonso team and do it consistently.
‘Dani Carvajal has an advantage because he can do it straight away, understands it and knows what Xabi wants. Trent needs an education on what he needs to do.
‘Carvajal, even though he is 33, will be difficult to take out the line-up.’
