England manager Thomas Tuchel has omitted Trent Alexander-Arnold from his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.
The right-back, who left Liverpool in the summer to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, was part of England’s most recent squad at the end of last season. However, he has struggled for game time in Spain and was left out of Madrid’s starting lineup in their recent win over Real Oviedo, with Dani Carvajal preferred.
Tuchel instead handed first senior call-ups to Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson and Tottenham full-back Djed Spence. Anderson, who impressed in England’s Under-21 European Championship victory during the summer, enjoyed a strong season in the Premier League and will now get his chance with the senior side.
“Elliot Anderson is very physical, with a high work rate and clean, precise passing. He had a fantastic season and we hope he can make his mark,” Tuchel explained.
The 24-man squad also sees Marcus Rashford return after recovering from injury. Rashford, currently on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United, missed England’s June fixtures. Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace has also been included for the first time.
Notable absentees include Kyle Walker, Phil Foden, Ivan Toney, Jack Grealish, and Harry Maguire, while injuries have ruled out Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, and Levi Colwill.
Veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson, now 35 and playing for Brentford, keeps his place after featuring regularly under Tuchel.
England will face Andorra at Wembley on September 6 before travelling to Belgrade to play Serbia on September 9.
England Squad for World Cup Qualifiers
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace)
Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), John Stones (Manchester City), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Djed Spence (Tottenham)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
