Surprise player spotted training with England despite not being included in Lee Carsley's first senior squad

An unexpected player has been spotted training with the senior England squad ahead of their upcoming games against Ireland and Finland.

Lee Carsley will take charge of the Three Lions for the first time as interim manager on Saturday, when England take on the Republic of Ireland in a Nations League clash in Dublin.

England then host Finland at Wembley on Tuesday in another Nations League game.

Carsley has been placed in charge of the national side while the FA conducts its search for a permanent replacement for Gareth Southgate, who stepped down as manager following England's defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024.

Former England U21 boss Carsley will be hopeful of stepping up to manage the senior side on a permanent basis, while Eddie Howe, Graham Potter and Pep Guardiola are also among the favourites for the vacant role.

Carsley named a 26-man squad for England's upcoming games last week, although three players have since dropped out.

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, Chelsea winger Cole Palmer and Manchester City's Phil Foden have all withdrawn through injury or illness.

England have declined to call up replacements for the trio but one unexpected player was spotted training with the squad on Wednesday.

The Sun's Tom Barclay reports that young Brighton goalkeeper James Beadle has trained with the senior England squad ahead of their match against Ireland.

The 20-year-old, who is currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, was included in the England U21 squad earlier this month, and has now been given the chance to impress training with the senior side.

James Beadle (second from left) was spotted training with the England squad (Image: Getty)

The U21s take on Northern Ireland in a Euro 2025 qualifier on Friday, and Austria in a friendly on Monday.

Beadle joined Oxford United on a season-long loan from Brighton at the start of the 2023/24 campaign and played 28 games in all competitions for the club before being recalled in January.

He then joined Wednesday for the second half of the campaign, playing 19 times.

Beadle has now returned to the Owls for a second loan spell and has started all four Championship games so far this season.

He is one of three goalkeepers named in the most recent England U21 squad, with Burnley's James Trafford and Wigan's Sam Tickle also included.