England squad: Rashford & Sancho overlooked as Southgate hands first call-up to Guehi
Manchester United forwards Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho have been left out of Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad amid struggles for form at club level, but there is a first senior call-up for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
The Three Lions are readying themselves for friendly outings against Switzerland at Wembley on March 26 and a clash with Ivory Coast three days later.
There are plenty of familiar names within Southgate’s ranks, with all of those included eager to impress as the countdown to World Cup 2022 continues.
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England squad in full
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Ben White
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, Mason Mount, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse
Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Raheem Sterling
Who makes the cut and who missed out?
Chelsea defender Reece James is included by Southgate despite only recently returning from a long-term injury, while Arsenal playmaker Emile Smith Rowe gets the nod once again as he battles for regular starting berths with the Gunners.
His club colleague, Ben White, makes the cut among the defensive ranks but there is no place in that group for experienced Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker.
Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse is recalled and Tammy Abraham’s fine form at Roma is recognised.
Harry Maguire is called upon despite facing questions of his contribution at Manchester United, while Ben Chilwell and Kieran Trippier – of Chelsea and Newcastle respectively – are absent through injury.
What has been said?
On his decision to not select Sancho, Southgate said: "Because the other attacking players in the squad are slightly ahead of him at the moment. You can see the names – Foden, Sterling, Saka, Smith-Rowe, Grealish. If you look at the seasons they've had...
"Jadon, over the last few weeks his performances have without doubt improved at Manchester United but it's an area of the field where we've got really big competition for places and at the moment we've got those guys slightly ahead."
Regarding Rashford's non-selection, Southgate added: "He's in the same position as everybody else. Whether they're in the squad or not in the squad, they've all got to play well over the end of this season and particularly the beginning of next season.
"It's a difficult time for him, he's clearly not at his best. We know a lot about Marcus anyway and what he can bring to us. And hopefully he rediscovers that form that we know he's capable of."