🔗 Share this article

Thomas Tuchel has opted to stick with the same England squad that secured victory against their previous opponents and produced a stellar display in Serbia during the previous international break, leaving no room for the Real Madrid star and the Manchester City attacker in his selection for the forthcoming exhibition match against Wales and the World Cup qualifier in the Baltic nation.

Despite Phil Foden making a strong case for a return to the squad after rediscovering his form at Manchester City, and Jude Bellingham having returned for Real Madrid following a surgical procedure, the head coach has decided against including two of the country's most prominent offensive stars. Bellingham has been in the starting lineup only once for his team since his return.

Tuchel has found space for Bukayo Saka, who is back to fitness and has been restored in place of his unavailable Arsenal teammate the sidelined player. Jack Grealish has not been handed a recall.

Complete England Squad Announcement

Shot-stoppers

• Dean Henderson (his club)
• Jordan Pickford (Everton)
• James Trafford (the Citizens)

Backline

• Dan Burn (the Magpies)
• Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace)
• Chelsea's full-back (the Blues)
• Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)
• Myles Lewis-Skelly (the Gunners)
• Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen)
• Tottenham's defender (Spurs)
• John Stones (Manchester City)

Midfielders

• Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)
• Nottingham Forest's playmaker (the Reds)
• Brentford's experienced head (Brentford)
• Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Milan)
• Declan Rice (the North London club)
• Aston Villa's talent (Aston Villa)

Attackers

• Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United)
• Arsenal's attacker (Arsenal)
• Newcastle's winger (Newcastle United)
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
• Barcelona's loanee (the Catalan club, loan from Manchester United)
• Arsenal's star (the Gunners)
• Ollie Watkins (Villa)

Tuchel highlighted the vibrancy in the previous selection and appears determined to keeping the same atmosphere. Tino Livramento, who featured at left-back in the convincing victory in Serbia, has been ruled out due to a knock. The manager has not called up a like-for-like substitute for the Magpies star but has selected John Stones, who had to pull out last month. He has discussed the Manchester City defender's significance for the national team and has suggested using him in midfield.

No spot has been found for the midfielder, who was called up last month but pulled out due to injury and was replaced by the Milan player.

Tuchel said: “A mere three weeks after the last camp and the most recent victory, the latest display, so the question was why not select the same group in because they set the standard. Now it is about building routines out of it. We have unfortunately a couple of fitness issues at the moment with Livramento and Noni and we bring of course Bukayo Saka in to take the place of Noni. The defender was a last-minute addition last time; he will remain with the squad.”