Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen have been recalled to England‘s latest squad but Raheem Sterling misses out again.
Gareth Southgate named a 26-man squad on Thursday for this month’s friendly against Australia and a Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy, both of which take place at Wembley.
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Watkins replaces Newcastle United‘s Callum Wilson after a fine start to the season with Aston Villa — netting seven times in 11 games including a hat trick against Brighton last weekend — while Bowen has five goals in seven matches for West Ham United and takes up a spot vacated by injured Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze.
Southgate had spoken to Sterling prior to last month’s games against Ukraine and Scotland to explain, saying the Chelsea winger was disappointed to have been overlooked.
There were no conversations this time with Southgate opting for Bowen instead.
“We spoke before the last squad,” Southgate told a news conference when asked about Sterling. “We’ve been happy with the wide players and the performances in the last four games in particular, and the two in March.
