England World Cup squad: White, Rashford ‘poised for call-ups’ with Maddison ‘likely’ to miss out

Jason Soutar
England duo Ben White and Marcus Rashford during a training session

England boss Gareth Southgate will reportedly include Arsenal’s Benjamin White and Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford in his World Cup squad.

Rashford has impressed this season but was not included in the England squad for September’s international break after picking up an injury.

The United forward’s last appearance for the Three Lions came in the Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy.

The 25-year-old came off the bench specifically to take a penalty in the shootout, but failed to convert his spot-kick as England were beaten.

After a difficult 2021-22 campaign, Rashford has bounced back with seven goals in 17 matches this term.

According to The Guardian, the United man will be included in Southgate’s squad for the 2022 World Cup.

It is said that Southgate will opt for captain Harry Kane, Rashford and Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson as his striker options.

Brentford talisman Ivan Toney – who received his first call-up in September but did not play a single minute – and AS Roma’s Tammy Abraham will likely miss out if Wilson is favoured.

The Newcastle striker has six goals this season, with injuries in previous years limiting him to only four caps.

Abraham has shone in Italy since making a £35million move from Chelsea and has become a mainstay in Southgate’s squad, though he has found minutes hard to come by.

After netting 17 Serie A goals last season, Abraham has typically struggled for form this term, scoring three in 14 league appearances.

Toney has 20 Premier League goals in 46 matches for Brentford since their promotion last year.

While Southgate is expected to select Kane, Wilson and Rashford, he will reportedly snub Leicester City’s James Maddison and West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen.

Maddison has more goal contributions than any English player in the Premier League this year and has started the season extremely well.

Despite his terrific form, Southgate will not take him to Qatar, the report claims.

Speaking this week, former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer said Maddison should “definitely” be picked, and he is not the only one who has this opinion.

Maddison will miss out at the expense of Jack Grealish and Mason Mount, who have both not been up to scratch this season.

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Bowen, on the other hand, has been included in the last two England squads but looks set to be left at home this winter.

Southgate has some big decisions to make in defence, as well.

Chelsea right-back Reece James was told he will not go to the World Cup due to a knee problem, opening the door for Arsenal’s Benjamin White.

White was signed for £50m last summer and played all of 21-22 as a central defender, but has shone as a right-back for the Premier League leaders this campaign.

While White is expected to be picked, he may not start in the tournament, with Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier likely to be Southgate’s first-choice right-back, although he can play on the left side in Ben Chilwell’s absence.

Due to Trippier’s ability to play left-back, it is said that Luke Shaw will be picked as the only natural player in that position.

The England boss will take a gamble on Manchester City duo Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips after they both underwent surgery earlier this season.

Walker has not played since City’s 6-3 win over Manchester United on October 2, meanwhile, Phillips came off the bench to make his return for the Citizens against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

Phillips played 40 crucial minutes which should see him risked by former England centre-half Southgate.

Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold should also be in the squad despite his defensive woes this campaign.

England kick off their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21 before facing the United States and Wales.

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