England release blunt statement after confirming Ben White's first call-up since 2022

England have confirmed a shock return to the national team for Ben White after two injury withdrawals.

Thomas Tuchel announced a 35-man squad for England's March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan but changes have had to be made following injuries.

Eberechi Eze and Jarell Quansah have both had to pull out and that has provided opportunities for Harvey Barnes and White.

Newcastle's Barnes turned down an international allegiance switch to Scotland and received his reward, while Arsenal defender White has come back into the fold two years after Gareth Southgate revealed he did not want to be considered for England selection.

Capped four times, the former Brighton man left England's 2022 World Cup campaign for "personal reasons" and it was reported that he had a falling out with assistant coach Steve Holland.

Ben White has been recalled to the England squad. Image: Getty

Naturally, England's official statement did not address the elephant in the room.

"Newcastle United's Harvey Barnes and Arsenal's Ben White have been added to the England squad," the Three Lions said in a brief statement.

"The pair replace Arsenal's Eberechi Eze and Bayer Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah who are ruled out of the Three Lions' March internationals through injury.

"Barnes made his only appearance for the senior team in October 2020 while White has four caps to his name."

Last year, Tuchel confirmed that White had made himself available for the squad and was "delighted" with the decision but said it was "too early for him given the seriousness of the injury that he had."

White hasn't been a regular in Arsenal's title charge but started the Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday.

What was the reason behind White's England absence?

White was out of the England picture before their 2022 World Cup campaign in Qatar was finished, with The Athletic reporting that there was an exchange between he and Holland.

Following up, The Telegraph said the fall-out stemmed from Holland asking Kyle Walker a Manchester City related question from around the 2021/22 season.

The same question was put to White but it is claimed that he said he did not know the answer, with Holland reportedly concluding it was 'because White was not sufficiently interested in football'.