Solanke gets first England call-up in seven years

Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke has been named in Lee Carsley's England squad for this month's Nations League matches against Greece and Finland.

It is the striker's first call-up since he earned his only cap, a substitute appearance against Brazil in 2017 during his time at Liverpool.

Carsley said: "He was really close to being in the last squad but got injured just before selection.

"He did so well at Bournemouth and now he's taken that form into Spurs. He's got a lot of really good attributes that I really like."

Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers is absent despite his fine start to the season, while Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, Tottenham playmaker James Maddison and Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze also miss out.

Kyle Walker, who has 90 England caps but was left out of Carsley's first squad, has earned a recall, while Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham has been selected after missing September's fixtures through injury.

Carsley made a strong start to his time as England interim manager with victories against Finland and the Republic of Ireland in September in the Nations League.

The Three Lions host Greece at Wembley on 10 October before playing Finland in Helsinki on 13 October.

Analysis: How Carsley could play all the number 10s

BBC Sport football news reporter Alex Howell:

Carsley has dropped a hint at how he may fit in the talented trio of Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer into one team.

All three missed the last camp and their inclusion gives him a big selection dilemma.

Palmer is well known to Carsley after he managed the Chelsea forward during his time as U21 boss as the Young Lions won the U21 Euros in 2023.

Carsley was asked about whether the team needs a specialist left back as Levi Colwill is the only left footed defender included - and the head coach said the forward players will help ease the burden on that position.

“We have really gifted wide players. Our height, pace and width will come from our wide players rather than our full backs.” the interim coach said.

This could mean that Carsley will utilise the attacking trio in a similar way he set his U21 side up.

He played Palmer as a deep-lying midfielder, a number 10 and off of the right hand side of attack.

Jude Bellingham has been playing in a deeper role for Real Madrid this season and could line up in midfield alongside Declan Rice whilst, Foden could play from the left or in the number 10 role.

Carsley has stressed that he doesn’t get ‘caught up’ with positions but thinks about the best way to attack the opposition.

Full England squad

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United)

Defenders: Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), John Stones (Manchester City), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Rico Lewis (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Angel Gomes (Lille), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

Forwards: Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham)

Who's in?

Solanke, who has scored three goals in six games for Tottenham since joining the club in a £65m deal, is the standout selection.

The 27-year-old was overlooked for England's Euro 2024 squad, despite netting 21 goals in 42 appearances for the Cherries last term.

On Instagram, Solanke wrote: "It's been a while! Delighted to be called up to represent my country again."

Defender Walker, 34, played every minute of England's games in Germany in the summer and has earned a recall after missing September's internationals.

"We spoke before the last squad announcement, when he literally hadn't played a minute for Manchester City," said Carsley.

"He's a player we're looking forward to having back.

"I've never worked with him but I think what he's done in the past for England, he's a player that I'm sure can help our younger players as well."

Who's dropped out?

Maguire, 31, was a regular under former manager Gareth Southgate and featured in Carsley's first game against the Republic of Ireland.

But, having missed Manchester United's 3-0 defeat against Tottenham on Sunday with a calf injury, the defender has been left out of Carsley's squad.

"We've got some very good centre-backs that we want to see play," Carsley said. "Harry still has a very important role to play, not only in this squad but in the campaign."

West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen has been left out after the Hammers' disappointing start to the campaign, while Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento has also been dropped.

Who missed out?

Aston Villa midfielder Rogers, 22, had been tipped for a call-up after a brilliant start to the season.

Rogers has started all eight of Villa's Premier League and Champions League matches this term, scoring twice.

Maddison, who has scored once in seven matches for Spurs this season, has not been included in an England squad since being cut from Southgate's preliminary Euro 2024 squad.

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has again missed out on selection.

The striker's last England cap came in a 1-0 defeat by Brazil in March 2024.

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