England squad to face Scotland and Spain

[bennythedip2]

Jack Wilshere has been recalled to the England squad by interim manager Gareth Southgate, with striker Harry Kane also returning for the games against Scotland and Spain.


Wilshere has been a conspicuous absentee from international get-togethers since Euro 2016, with the departed Sam Allardyce and his temporary replacement both leaving him out.

But a loan move from Arsenal to Bournemouth has given the 24-year-old some much-needed game time and he has rebuilt both form and fitness under Eddie Howe.

Dele Alli's twisted knee has also created a vacancy in midfield, with Wilshere operating in a similar position for the Cherries.

While Alli has been forced out, his Tottenham team-mate Kane rejoins the group after missing Southgate's previous matches in charge against Malta and Slovenia.

Kane has missed seven weeks with an ankle injury but started the north London derby against Arsenal on Sunday and scored from the penalty spot to secure a 1-1 draw.

Manchester United pair Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw are not involved in a 25-man squad after being declared unfit for the 3-1 win over Swansea - a decision that seemed to frustrate their club boss Jose Mourinho.With Smalling missing, Burnley's Michael Keane edges Middlesbrough's Ben Gibson - the former having received his first call-up as injury cover for last month's games.

Southgate was unable to call on injured the Nathaniel Clyne and Adam Lallana last time out but the Liverpool pair are back after returning to action with the Premier League leaders.

Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater is also fit again and restored.

Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend replaced Raheem Sterling as cover last month, and came off the bench against Slovenia, with both men included this time.

Southgate has named a slightly larger panel this time, rising by two to 25, possibly with the Spain friendly in mind.

While the World Cup qualifier against Scotland is the priority, the Wembley friendly against the Spaniards is also a prestige fixture and Southgate will want to have enough options at his disposal to put on a good show.

The former Middlesbrough boss comes to the end of his four-game stint after this double header and if he does want to make a pitch for the permanent post, now is his last chance.

West Ham's Michail Antonio will not report to St George's Park, having made the last two squads without seeing action, and Everton's Ross Barkley continues in exile.

England's 25-man squad to face Scotland and Spain

Forster (Southampton), Hart (Torino), Heaton (Burnley); Bertrand (Southampton), Cahill (Chelsea), Clyne (Liverpool), Jagielka (Everton), Keane (Burnley), Rose (Tottenham), Stones (Man City), Walker (Tottenham); Dier (Tottenham), Drinkwater (Leicester), Henderson (Liverpool), Wilshere (Bournemouth), Lallana (Liverpool), Lingard (Man Utd), Rooney (Man Utd), Sterling (Man City), Townsend (Crystal Palace); Walcott (Arsenal), Kane (Tottenham), Rashford (Man Utd), Sturridge (Liverpool), Vardy (Leicester).