Just reward! In-form Chelsea star Cole Palmer earns senior England call-up for Euro 2024 qualifiers alongside Man City's Rico Lewis & Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa

Palmer has been rewarded for his fine form at club level with a call-up to Gareth Southgate's senior squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia. He has been joined by former team-mate and fellow Man City academy graduate Lewis and Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa.

England have already secured their place in the tournament in Germany next summer, but Southgate's plans for the final two games of the qualifying cycle have been hampered by a number of injuries. James Maddison has already withdrawn due to the recurrence of an ankle problem, as have Callum Wilson and Lewis Dunk, while Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham is a major doubt. Palmer's club-mate Levi Colwill is expected to be passed fit despite missing Chelsea's 4-4 draw with Man City on Sunday.

In a statement on Palmer, Lewis and Konsa's call-ups, England said: "The trio’s addition follows the withdrawal of James Maddison, Lewis Dunk and Callum Wilson across the course of the weekend. The majority of Gareth Southgate’s squad are due to report to St. George’s Park on Monday with further assessments to take place."

The Three Lions boss may use the two games to experiment with his line-up as a result of those absences. Palmer, Lewis and Konsa will hope to make their senior debuts when England host Malta on Friday, before a trip to North Macedonia the following Monday.