England boss Gareth Southgate has left out Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson in his provisional Euro 2024 squad.
And he has put his faith in youth having named five uncapped players in a 33-man squad, which will later be trimmed down to 26 players.
Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, Liverpool and Everton centre-backs Jarell Quansah and Jarrad Branthwaite, along with Reds midfielder Curtis Jones and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton have been included in the pre-Euro training squad.
But it’s bad news for Chelsea full-backs Ben Chilwell and Reece James, who miss out due to fitness concerns, while Rashford, Sterling and Henderson have been overlooked following inconsistent performances for Manchester United, Chelsea and Ajax respectively.
Henderson has played in every major tournament since Euro 2012, while Sterling has been involved in each competition since the 2014 World Cup, with Rashford a regular since Euro 2016.
Other notable omissions include Levi Colwill, Jadon Sancho, Harvey Elliot, Kalvin Phillips and Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope, who hasn’t made the cut despite Southgate naming four shot-stoppers.
As well as England Under-21 star Trafford, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and Dean Henderson have all been named.
Henderson is one of four Palace players to be included, with teammates Wharton, Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze all having the chance to show their worth to Southgate.
While Chilwell has been left out, Manchester United’s Luke Shaw – who hasn’t played since February 18 due to a muscle knock – has been selected.
The left-back’s Red Devils teammate Kobbie Mainoo has also been given the nod following his stunning breakthrough campaign, which saw him make his England debut against Brazil in March.
England’s Euro 2024 squad
Gareth Southgate has named a provisional squad, which will be trimmed to 26
GOALKEEPERS: Aaron Ramsdale, Dean Henderson, James Trafford, Jordan Pickford
DEFENDERS: Harry Maguire, Jarrad Branthwaite, Jarell Quansah, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, Lewis Dunk, Luke Shaw, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Joe Gomez
MIDFIELDERS: Adam Wharton, Conor Gallagher, Curtis Jones, Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, Trent Alexander-Arnold
FORWARDS: Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Eberechi Eze, Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Jack Grealish, James Maddison, Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Ollie Watkins
Skipper Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Harry Maguire have unsurprisingly been included despite missing their final league matches due to minor knocks.
As have key players Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Declan Rice, John Stones and Kyle Walker, with Jack Grealish, Conor Gallagher, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Kieran Tripper, Lewis Dunk and Ezri Konsa also selected.
And Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer will also be vying to start having been named following a stunning campaign which saw him chip in with 22 goals and 11 assists in the top-flight.
He could be in competition with Tottenham’s James Maddison for a place, who has been selected for a second successive major tournament.
Magpies forward Anthony Gordon, who made his England debut during the March international break, has also been rewarded following his dazzling term.
As has West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen, who contributed to 22 Premier League goals to help David Moyes’ men to a ninth-placed finish.
And Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney have been included with the pair likely to challenge to be Kane’s back-up striker in Germany.
Southgate’s immediate attention will now turn to the Champions League and FA Cup final where he will be desperate to avoid any further setbacks ahead of the warm-up friendlies against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland in early June.
