Football news - Callum Wilson wins first England call-up, as Rooney joins squad for USA game
:focal(179x135:181x133)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2015/03/26/1443595-30868867-310-310.jpg)
Updated 08/11/2018 at 14:36 GMT
Bournemouth forward Callum Wilson has won his first international call-up for England's fixtures against United States and Croatia - the former of which will see Wayne Rooney win his 120th and final cap.
Callum Wilson of AFC Bournemouth celebrates after scoring his team's third goal
Image credit: Getty Images
Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has also been included in the squad named by Garreth Southgate despite struggling with an Achilles problem and teenage sensation Jadon Sancho retains his place after winning his first cap against Croatia in October.
England play United States at Wembley on November 15 - a match which has been dedicated to the Wayne Rooney Foundation, with the DC United striker making a brief return from international retirement to win his 120th cap and try to add to his record 53 international goals for his country.
Croatia then come to Wembley three days later for the conclusion of England's Nations League campaign - a match that will not feature Rooney. England will have to hope Croatia beat Spain on November 15, and then beat the Croats on home turf, if they are to top Group 4 of League A.
Rooney's inclusion is a symbolic one but the nod to Wilson is strategic by Southgate as he recognises a player who has scored seven goals in all competitions for upwardly-mobile Bournemouth this season. Wilson, 26, played for Southgate at Under-21 level.
Returning to the squad are Fabian Delph, Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard and Ruben Loftus-Cheek - while World Cup hero Harry Maguire misses out due to injury along with Chelsea's Mason Mount, on loan at Derby, James Tarkowski of Burnley and James Maddison of Leicester.
Everton centre-back Michael Keane also wins his first call-up since November 2017.
Rooney's return
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/11/07/2456668-51032075-2560-1440.jpg)
Wayne Rooney has not played for England in almost two years
Image credit: PA Sport
Rooney's return has caused no little controversy but Southgate justified the decision to recognise England's most capped outfield player of all time.
“There have been ongoing discussions since Wayne retired about paying tribute to him and his England career,” said Southgate.
Those discussions started 12 months ago. We have an opportunity with the game at Wembley to pay tribute. I am still able to look to the future with the squad we’ve picked, but we’ve talked a lot about the history of the shirt. We have brought former players back to speak and present shirts. I think all the players respect Wayne’s contribution and that he deserves the best possible send-off.
Wilson's inclusion
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/11/08/2457565-51050010-2560-1440.jpg)
Callum Wilson of AFC Bournemouth applauds fans
Image credit: Getty Images
Southgate also explained what he had seen in Wilson as he handed the Bournemouth striker a first taste of senior international football:
Bournemouth have started the season really well. Callum is a striker we worked with briefly with the Under-21s so we know plenty about him. He's a threat in terms of running in behind defences. He's been involved with either scoring or assists, with a high number of goals this season, so it's a good opportunity for us to have a look at him and see how he fits into what we do, and for him to get a feel of working with the senior team.
Full England squad
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Ross Barkley (Chelsea), Marcus Bettinelli (Fulham), Jack Butland (Stoke City), Ben Chilwell (Leicester City), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Lewis Dunk (Brighton & Hove Albion), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Michael Keane (Everton), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea), Alex McCarthy (Southampton), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Wayne Rooney (DC United)*, Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal), Callum Wilson (AFC Bournemouth), Harry Winks (Tottenham Hotspur)
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article