England boss Thomas Tuchel insists he WON'T drop Jordan Henderson from Three Lions squad despite uproar over continued selection of veteran Ajax midfielder

Henderson was a shock inclusion for the March internationals against Albania and Latvia before starting the World Cup qualifier against Andorra on Saturday. There has been surprise that the ex-Liverpool man is still being picked as his 35th birthday approaches, but Tuchel insists he is a key member of the squad.

Tuchel told talkSPORT: "We were convinced about this move to bring him back and since I met him in person and since I saw him and observed him in camp, I am more convinced than ever that he is a very important addition to this group. He is at the moment the man that I don't want to miss the value of. We see better versions of players when Jordan is in camp than if he is not in camp."

Tuchel also admitted he is "not aware" of the negativity surrounding Henderson's selection. The midfielder had been left out of Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad and his international career was assumed to be over, but his place in the England squad heading into next summer's World Cup now looks assured.

Henderson's club future looks less certain, with a move to Sunderland rumoured to be in the offing. The Mackems have been promoted to the Premier League and could make a move for their academy graduate.