Trent Alexander-Arnold MAKES England’s Euros squad

Trent Alexander-Arnold has made the squad for the European Championships – but Jesse Lingard, James Ward-Prowse and Ollie Watkins have been left out.

England manager Gareth Southgate has sleeted four recognised right-backs in his 26-man part for the European Championships.

And the inclusion of Alexander-Arnold was the biggest call made by Southgate.  

Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has been included in England’s squad for Euro 2020

England released Gareth Southgate's 26-man squad for the tournament on Tuesday

England released Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad for the tournament on Tuesday

The Liverpool defender’s place was in danger after he was axed from Southgate’s previous squad for the April internationals.

But the full-back has ended the season strongly and has worked his way back into the England manager’s squad for the tournament, Alexander-Arnold benefitting from UEFA’s decision to increase squad allowance from 23 to 26.

Alexander-Arnold was one of four right-backs to be included, with Champions League winner Reece James, LaLiga champion Kieran Trippier and Manchester City’s Kyle Walker all included.

Although James and Walker predominantly operate as right wing backs for their clubs, Southgate has previously deployed them on the right-side of a back three and may do so for the tournament.

Chelsea’s James is likely to start in that position if Southgate does play three centre-backs, having looked comfortable there in games over the last international break.

Elsewhere, as Sportsmail revealed this morning Lingard has been left behind – as has Ward-Prowse.

Watkins has also missed out while Ben Godfrey, Aaron Ramsdale and Ben White have also been told they won’t be need for the Euros.

Mason Greenwood pulled out through injury on Tuesday morning.

Alexander-Arnold's place had looked in danger but Southgate made a big call to include him

Alexander-Arnold’s place had looked in danger but Southgate made a big call to include him

ENGLAND’S 26-MAN EUROS SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS: Dean Henderson (Manchester United), Sam Johnstone (West Bromwich Albion), Jordan Pickford (Everton)

DEFENDERS: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

MIDFIELDERS: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United), Declan Rice (West Ham United)

FORWARDS: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

 

There was however a place for Borussia Dortmund starlet Jude Bellingham. The 17-year-old was included as one of five midfield players and could become the youngest player to ever play at a Euros if he features for England. 

Harry Maguire was also named despite missing Manchester United’s Europa League final defeat and yet to fully recover from an ankle injury.

He was named alongside fellow centre-backs John Stones and Conor Coady. 

There was little surprise in Southgate’s selections in forward areas with Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Dominic Calvert-Lewin all securing places in the 26-man squad. 

England No 1 Jordan Pickford, meanwhile, was joined by Dean Henderson and West Brom’s Sam Johnstone as Southgate’s options between the sticks. 

Southgate said on England’s YouTube channel: ‘I think every squad is difficult because we have a lot of talented players in this country.

‘The most difficult thing is to not be able to take players who’ve been with us in previous matches and who are such good professionals.

‘So, I know what a disappointment that is for them at the moment not to be going to a major championship.

‘But we still have two friendlies to get to, and there’s been plenty of examples over the years where there have been injuries in those friendlies that have ruled people out.

‘So there’s still time for those guys even though they’re not in at this moment in time.’ 

Reece James was one of four right-backs to make England's 26-man Euros squad

Kyle Walker was named in Southgate's squad

Reece James (left) and Kyle Walker (right) and Kieran Trippier were other right-backs to be called up

Manchester United's Harry Maguire was on the list despite concerns over his fitness

Manchester United’s Harry Maguire was on the list despite concerns over his fitness

Borussia Dortmund's 17-year-old star Jude Bellingham also won a place in Southgate's squad

Borussia Dortmund’s 17-year-old star Jude Bellingham also won a place in Southgate’s squad

Southgate also has fitness concerns over two key players named in the squad.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has not played since undergoing groin surgery in February and Manchester United skipper Maguire sustained an ankle ligament injury last month.

‘The most complex part this time has been those injuries and whether we should take the chance on people,’ Southgate said.

‘We’ve clearly, with Jordan and with Harry Maguire, we’ve got a couple of players who are not where we’d be ideally in terms of their physical prep.

‘But we think that the experience they have, the fact that we think we can get them to a point where they can have an involvement in the tournament, it’s worth taking them, especially as we’ve got an extended squad of 26.’

Asked about Ward-Prowse, Lingard and Watkins, Southgate said he had offered them the chance to leave the group once he broke the bad news – but praised the trio for deciding to stay.

‘Mason Greenwood unfortunately had to pull out on Friday so we knew he wasn’t a contender for the last few games,’ he added.

Southgate explained experience was key in his decision to include Jordan Henderson, who has not played since February due to groin surgery

Southgate explained experience was key in his decision to include Jordan Henderson, who has not played since February due to groin surgery

The England boss (right) said the players who missed out have chose to stay for friendlies

The England boss (right) said the players who missed out have chose to stay for friendlies

‘For me personally, it was very difficult to speak to Jesse, who has given so much to England, has performed so well for England over a long period of time, James Ward-Prowse who has been captain of the Under-21s and then Ollie Watkins, who had a tremendous season with Aston Villa.

‘Those three, I gave them the option of going home if they wanted to but they were all adamant they would want to stay and be a part of the group.

‘They know that they will be involved in these two matches. I think Jesse will probably start tomorrow.

‘Their commitment has been exemplary and their professionalism has been brilliant and meant that yesterday afternoon when I had the conversations with those players, although they were disappointed they knew where they stood and it has meant the atmosphere around the camp has stayed positive and very relaxed.’ 

England face Austria on Wednesday before their final warm-up match against Romania on Sunday. 

Southgate’s side, who are the top seeds in Group D, kick-start their Euro 2020 campaign against Croatia on June 13 before facing Scotland five days later and then the Czech Republic on the 22nd.