Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate

England squad: Gareth Southgate names Mawson, Pope, Tarkowski and Cook as Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck return


Gareth Southgate has named Alfie Mawson, Nick Pope, James Tarkowski and Lewis Cook in his squad for next week's pre-World Cup friendlies.

England take on the Netherlands on Friday March 23 and Italy on Tuesday March 27 and Southgate has decided to test out four newcomers in his 27-man squad.

Jack Wilshere is also back in the squad as expected - he's not played for his country since England's woeful Euro 2016 defeat against Iceland, while Danny Welbeck and Adam Lallana make the squad after returning from injuries.

England are 16/1 to win the World Cup with Sky Bet

Defenders Chris Smalling, Gary Cahill and Michael Keane have all been left out of the England squad.

Burnley duo Pope and Tarkowski have been rewarded for their team's fantastic Premier League season by being handed places in the squad - Pope has stepped in for Tom Heaton who has been out with injury and has performed excellently in his absence.

Bournemouth midfielder Cook gets his second spot in the England squad as he also received a late call-up before the 0-0 draw with Brazil in November.

England hopeful Glenn Murray has seemingly reacted to missing out...

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