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Topics: Ben White, Arsenal, Football, Premier League, England, Lee Carsley
Ryan Smart
Topics: Ben White, Arsenal, Football, Premier League, England, Lee Carsley
Ben White admitted that he once cried at receiving a phone call from England - but it appears that he will again not be named as part of the latest Three Lions squad.
Interim boss Lee Carsley names his selection for this month's fixtures against Greece and Finland on Thursday.
Carsley has a 100 per cent record as Three Lions manager, having won Nations League fixtures against Republic of Ireland and Finland last month.
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A decision has yet to be made by the FA on a permanent successor to Gareth Southgate, but two further wins for Carsley this month will put him in a stronger position.
One issue that Carsley has had to deal with that precedes his appointment is Arsenal defender White.
The 26-year-old has not been named in an England squad since the 2022 World Cup, and ruled himself out of selection for Euro 2024.
The Telegraph reported that the problem stemmed from an exchange between White and then-England assistant Steve Holland during an international camp, which is believed to have surrounded an 'question of respect afforded to the player'.
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Southgate confirmed in his Euro 2024 selection press conference that Arsenal sporting director Edu had called him to inform that White would not be available.
That significantly contrasts a past phone call between White and FA officials, when they told the defender that he would be named in an England squad.
He was picked in the provisional 33-man selection for the delayed Euro 2020 tournament, and while he missed out on the final squad, he was a late addition following Trent Alexander-Arnold's injury.
Speaking to Sky Sports about the call to inform him that he was in the squad, he explained: "I got a phone call, got told the news. I was out for dinner - I didn't really believe it!
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"Yeah, I just sat and cried for an hour - I couldn't really believe it. I don't think it's settled in yet."
He continued: "I didn't really think that I would be called. I thought it was a bit too late, because I've heard you get called way before it.
"But I obviously didn't, and when that call did come, I was over the moon with it and shocked."