AFTER A DIFFICULT first season at Chelsea having left Manchester City, Raheem Sterling has been left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.
It wouldn’t be a situation however, that brings an end to his run of 82 International caps.
A representative for the forward said his absence was part of a mutual decision to allow him to focus on “recuperating his body in preparation for the upcoming season”.
Southgate revealed Sterling’s absence was largely down to fitness issues rather than form.
“I spoke with him a week or so ago – a general catch-up,” he said.
“He’s not happy physically with his condition, having been carrying a hamstring problem. He really wasn’t in consideration.
“We didn’t get to the point of whether he should be in or out. He doesn’t think he is operating at the level he needs.”
Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze received his first call-up to the England squad and Brighton captain Lewis Dunk is rewarded for his fine season with a first call-up for four-and-a-half years.
England are well on course to qualify for Euro 2024 in Germany after beating Italy and Ukraine in their opening Group C fixtures.
Southgate’s men travel to Malta on June 16 before hosting North Macedonia at Old Trafford three days later.
Eze’s performances have caught the eye, with six goals in eight games under Roy Hodgson, who returned to Selhurst Park as coach in March.
Dunk’s only previous cap came against the United States in November 2018.
The England boss said he was looking forward to working with midfielder Eze.
He said: “We have liked him for a long time. I think he has finished the season really strongly. He can play in a couple of positions across the attacking line.
“He is a goal threat, he’s got nice ability and speed to go past people and can take people out of the game with his dribbling skills. We are looking forward to seeing him a bit closer.”
England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace)
Defenders: Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw (both Manchester United), John Stones, Kyle Walker (both Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)
Forwards: Phil Foden, Jack Grealish (both Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), James Maddison (Leicester), Callum Wilson (Newcastle)
© AFP
James McCarthy must not be in his plans, strange not to mention him.
Aa long a Jose is at spurs Parrott will waste away in reserves. He needs that loan move
I know Mick can use the excuse that Troy isn’t playing week in, week out.
But he does know how to score.
Jose may not him much but with even 30 minutes in a run of Irish games could change everything.
There have been great goal scorers in the past who played at this age. Will he be another Robbie Keane? Who knows but time on the pitch will help in the Premier League and on the International stage.
@Madra: not sure where u going with not playing week in week out…he is not playing at all now…bench warmer at best….no way should he be in squad for such a big game……
@Madra: he’s playing against kids. Big difference to playing against seasoned pros. Keane was playing first team football at that age.
@Madra: no chance of being a keane now, after signing a contract to sit on a bench he is more likely to be an Anthony Stokes or a robbie brady at best. He’s blown his shot now I reckon
@John fitzpatrick: your right John, but if Keane had of been at Spurs aged 17 in PL he wouldn’t have got his either, Parrott definitely should have got out, I wouldn’t sit it out anymore, should get a move to another PL team on loan or championship..
@Fino10: I don’t think working with a coach of Jose’s experience for the rest of the season would be the worst thing for Parrott. Bound to learn a thing or two.
He should be looking for a season long loan to a Championship or League One side next season though.