Eze called up to England squad

Crystal Palace's attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze has received his first England call-up ahead of next month's Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.

Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling, meanwhile, has been left out of the Three Lions squad by mutual decision after talks with boss Gareth Southgate.

In the other headline news from the announcement, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tyrone Mings and Lewis Dunk have all received recalls.

In addition to Sterling being left out, Chelsea's trio of Reece James, Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell miss out through injury, while there is no place for Arsenal's Ben White, Tottenham's Eric Dier or AC Milan's Fikayo Tomori.

Three Eagles x Three Lions 🦅🦁

Eze ✅
Johnstone ✅
Guéhi ✅

Congrats, lads 👏#CPFC | @England

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 24, 2023

Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope is also a notable absentee as he requires an operation on a hand injury, Crystal Palace's Sam Johnstone recalled as his replacement.

Manchester City's quintet of John Stones, Kyle Walker, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Kalvin Phillips have all been called up by Southgate, but will link up with the squad late due to their involvement in the Champions League final against Inter Milan on 10 June.

West Ham captain Declan Rice will also link up at a later date given that the Hammers take on Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final on 7 June.

Brentford striker Ivan Toney obviously misses out in light of his recent eight month ban for breaching FA betting rules.

In terms of their itinerary, England face Malta on Friday, 16 June, before they take on North Macedonia at Old Trafford three days later.

The Three Lions currently sit top of Group C after wins over Italy and Ukraine in their opening qualifying games back in March. 

England squad

Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Lewis Dunk (Brighton & Hove Albion), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham United)

Forwards: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), James Maddison (Leicester City), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Callum Wilson (Newcastle United)