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England Recall Saka But Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden & Grealish Are Left Out

Bukayo Saka in action

Bukayo Saka has scored a dozen goals in 44 games for England.

The national side have recalled the Arsenal winger for next week's matches against Latvia and Wales, but there is no place for Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden or Grealish.

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka missed the previous World Cup qualifying successes against Andorra and Serbia with a muscle problem.

The 24-year-old made a comeback for Arsenal and scored in their victory over the Greek side on Wednesday.

Saka comes in for club colleague Noni Madueke, who is out of action till next month with a knee injury.

England face Wales in a warm-up match at Wembley this week before a qualifying match in Riga on 14 October.

Should England triumph against Latvia, they will require a maximum of two points from their last two matches against Serbia and Albania in November to reach the World Cup in North America.

Bayer Leverkusen defender Quansah comes in for Newcastle's Tino Livramento, who is sidelined for two months following sustaining a knee issue versus Arsenal recently.

Elliot Anderson and Djed Spence, who earned their maiden national team selections last month, retain their places. Loftus-Cheek also remains in the squad, despite the return to fitness of Wharton.

Saka has featured in just a single match for the manager since he became England manager, because of fitness and hamstring injuries.

Bellingham missed the last England international camp as he was rehabilitating after shoulder surgery and has only made one start for his club after coming back from injury.

Foden was omitted from the coach’s previous selection after a loss of form and has been unable to force his way back, despite a impressive beginning to the campaign with City.

Grealish also is excluded despite a revival in form on loan at Everton. He has not played for the national team since last year.

Full England Squad

Goalkeepers: Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (the Toffees), James Trafford (City)

Backline: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Jarell Quansah (Leverkusen), Spence (Spurs), John Stones (City)

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Henderson (the Bees), Loftus-Cheek (AC Milan), Rice (the Gunners), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

Forwards: Bowen (West Ham), Eze (the Gunners), Gordon (Newcastle United), Kane (Bayern), Rashford (Barcelona), Saka (Arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

'Scrutiny on those left out rather than included'

The manager’s new selection brings scrutiny to the players the boss has omitted instead of the players he has selected.

Bellingham’s exclusion may cause surprise but Tuchel understandably feels there is no need to recall the Real Madrid star.

City’s Phil Foden and on-loan Everton forward Grealish have both excelled in the early stages of the campaign.

Those who the manager used in the team’s World Cup qualifier wins versus Serbia and Andorra merit the reward of continuity.

There will be regret that Arsenal's Noni Madueke is not involved because of injury.

Anderson has settled well at England senior level.

Tuchel is a admirer of Grealish, in particular, as well as the City star.

If there is one surprise, it comes in the absence of Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.

Bellingham, naturally, will be needed in the future.

The writer

Ruth Sheppard

A passionate writer and researcher with a background in digital media and a love for uncovering hidden gems in various niches.

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