Featured Image Credit: Getty / England
Topics: Gareth Southgate, England, Football, Manchester City
Ryan Smart
Topics: Gareth Southgate, England, Football, Manchester City
Gareth Southgate has called up a 16-year-old Manchester City player to train with the England senior squad ahead of their friendly against Brazil on Saturday.
Southgate named an initial 25-man squad for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, which take place during the current international break.
That contingent was then increased to 26 on Tuesday, when Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo was added to the squad as a late call-up.
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It is quite common for Southgate to call up members of England's under-21 squads to top up his available players in training sessions, while Tottenham and England U20 midfielder Alfie Devine spent time with the squad in September.
It is a much rarer sight, though, to see the England boss take players from the lower age groups - but that is exactly what he has done on this occasion.
Southgate has decided to 'promote' City defender Kian Noble to the senior squad after he was named in Greg Noble's U17 squad for their U17 Euro qualifiers againat Northern Ireland, Hungary and France.
The Northern Ireland fixture kicks off on Wednesday afternoon at 3pm, but Noble is unavailable for selection due to suspension.
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As a result, the decision was taken to have the young defender train with the senior squad instead.
BBC Sport reporter Alex Howell has said that Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane, Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka are all doing individual programmes indoors at St George's Park today - which perhaps necessitated the need for extra players to join up with the squad.
Noble has been a key player in City's U18 squad this season, and his profile on the club's official website describes the Yorkshire-born centre-back as a 'strong figure in City's defence' who is also 'confident when carrying the ball out from the back with his excellent range of passing'.
The 17-year-old has also made three appearances for City's U21 side this season, and played 90 minutes as the U18s thrashed rivals Manchester United 4-1 at the Academy Stadium earlier this month.