Jack Wilshere handed England recall, Nick Pope among three new call-ups

The 26-year-old last played for the Three Lions in the Euro 2016 last 16 exit to Iceland, but will have a chance to impress manager Gareth Southgate in upcoming friendlies with the Netherlands and Italy.

Southgate has named a 27-man squad as he fine-tunes his preparations for this summer’s World Cup, with Burnley duo Nick Pope and James Tarkowski handed their first call-ups, along with Swansea’s Alfie Mawson. Uncapped Lewis Cook is also in the squad.

Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck earns a recall, despite featuring largely as a substitute this season, but there is no place for defensive trio Chris Smalling, Michael Keane and Gary Cahill.

Harry Kane misses out through injury, with the Tottenham striker expected to return to action in April after suffering a reoccurrence of an ankle injury. Dele Alli is included, despite coming off during Spurs' 4-1 win over Bournemouth on Sunday with a thigh complaint.

Southgate said he was pleased Wilshere had regained fitness and was playing regular club football.

"Jack's a player that has unquestionable talent. The key for me is that he is playing in the games that matter for Arsenal. He's getting closer to where we want him," he said.

"His technical ability in the middle of the park will be very useful."

Southgate hinted that England could play a three-man defence in Russia – name-checking Joe Gomez, John Stones and Harry Maguire – and added that injured duo Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Fabian Delph remained in his plans.

England play the Netherlands in Amsterdam on March 23, before welcoming Italy to Wembley Stadium four days later.

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland, Joe Hart, Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope.

Defenders: Ryan Bertrand, Joe Gomez, Harry Maguire, Alfie Mawson, Danny Rose, John Stones, James Tarkowski, Kieran Tripper, Kyle Walker, Ashley Young.

Midfielders: Dele Alli, Lewis Cook, Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Jesse Lingard, Jake Livermore, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Raheem Sterling, Jack Wilshere.

Attackers: Marcus Rashford, Jamie Vardy, Danny Welbeck.