Gareth Southgate calls up two England youth stars after injuries

Gareth Southgate has called up two of England's most exciting youngsters after a flurry of injuries.

Having been named in the latest squad, James Maddison and Callum Wilson are now absent due to injury as England prepare to take on Malta and North Macedonia in Euro 2024 qualifiers.

And Southgate has chosen to bring in Chelsea's Cole Palmer and his former Manchester City teammate Rico Lewis as late replacements.

Both players were set to be with Lee Carsley's Under 21 side but have now received their first senior call-ups, as per The Athletic.

Palmer and Lewis came through the ranks at City and were part of the side which won a historic treble under Pep Guardiola last season.

However, Palmer was unhappy with his game-time and after scoring in both the Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup, signed a seven-year deal with Chelsea after a £40 million deadline day move.

Image: Getty

He has made an excellent start to life at Stamford Bridge, with four goals and two assists in 14 appearances.

The 21-year-old smashed in a stoppage time penalty in his first meeting against City in Sunday's thrilling 4-4 draw.

Lewis, meanwhile, experienced a breakthrough campaign for City last season and was the youngest ever treble-winner after playing 14 times.

The 18-year-old was nominated for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award and signed a new five-year deal at City in August.

Image: Getty

Pep Guardiola has hailed the versatile Lewis as one of the best players he has ever coached and recently said he would be one of the best in the Premier League “if he was a little bit taller".

Ezri Konsa is the third player to be be drafted into the squad after his role in Aston Villa's excellent run under Unai Emery.

Meanwhile Raheem Sterling has again been overlooked by England despite an upturn in form for Chelsea this season, with Southgate addressing his omission in a press conference last week.

England have already qualified for the Euros next summer and so the next two fixtures could be a chance to experiment.

Topics: Gareth Southgate, England, Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, James Maddison

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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