The Three Lions Bring Back Saka While Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden & Grealish Miss Out

Bukayo Saka in action

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

The national side have included Bukayo Saka for next week's fixtures against Wales and Latvia, but there is no place for Bellingham, Phil Foden or Grealish.

Arsenal forward Saka was absent from last month's World Cup qualifying wins against Andorra and Serbia with a hamstring injury.

Saka made a comeback for Arsenal and found the net in their victory against the Greek side on Wednesday.

The England international replaces club colleague Noni Madueke, who is sidelined until November with a knee problem.

The Three Lions meet Wales in a warm-up match at the national stadium this week before a World Cup qualifier in Riga on October 14.

If England win against Latvia, they will need a maximum of two more points from their last two matches against Serbia and Albania in November to reach the World Cup in North America.

Leverkusen's Quansah comes in for Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento, who is sidelined for two months following sustaining a knee issue versus the Gunners recently.

Anderson and Spence, who received their first England call-ups previously, retain their places. Loftus-Cheek also remains in the squad, despite the recovery of Adam Wharton.

The attacker has only played one game for the manager since taking over as England manager, due to injury concerns.

The midfielder missed the previous squad as he recovered from a shoulder operation and has only made a single start for Real Madrid after coming back from injury.

Foden was left out from Tuchel's last England squad after a loss of form and has been unsuccessful in returning, despite a impressive beginning to the season with Manchester City.

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

Full England Selection

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (the Toffees), James Trafford (Manchester City)

Defenders: Burn (Newcastle), Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (the Blues), Ezri Konsa (Villa), Lewis-Skelly (the Gunners), Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Spurs), John Stones (Manchester City)

Midfield: Elliot Anderson (Forest), Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Henderson (the Bees), Loftus-Cheek (Milan), Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

Attackers: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern), Marcus Rashford (Barca), Saka (Arsenal), Watkins (Villa)

'Focus on omissions over inclusions'

The manager’s new selection brings scrutiny on those the boss has left out instead of the players he has selected.

Jude Bellingham's exclusion may raise some eyebrows but the coach understandably feels there is no rush to bring back the Madrid midfielder.

Manchester City's Foden and loanee Grealish have both performed well in the early stages of the season.

The players Tuchel utilised in England's World Cup qualifier wins against Serbia and Andorra merit the reward of continuity.

It will bring regret that the Gunners’ Madueke is not included because of a fitness issue.

Anderson has looked right at home at England senior level.

Tuchel is a admirer of Grealish, especially, as well as Foden.

One unexpected move, it is the absence of Palace’s Adam Wharton.

Bellingham, of course, will be required further down the line.

William Nixon
William Nixon

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