England squad LIVE: Anthony Gordon called up as Kalvin Phillips dropped before Euro 2024

England manager Gareth Southgate moved a step closer to finalising his Euro 2024 plans as he named his latest squad ahead of friendly matches against Brazil and Belgium later this month.

Southgate brings in Jarrad Branthwaite and Anthony Gordon for their first senior call ups, and recalls Joe Gomez and Ivan Toney to the squad after spells away. Gomez, who won the last of his 11 senior caps in October 2020, has returned from the international wilderness for these Wembley friendlies. Toney is back involved at the first opportunity after serving an eight-month Football Association betting ban.

Cole Palmer also makes the squad as he hopes to add to his two England caps. Jordan Henderson retains his place in the group but there is no spot for Kalvin Phillips, who is struggling to make an impact on loan at West Ham after a long time marginalised at Manchester City. Raheem Sterling was conspicuous by his absence once again, and Southgate revealed Arsenal’s Ben White has made himself unavailable for England selection.

The March international break represents a final chance to experiment and try out some new faces.

Follow live updates from the announcement, below:

England squad announced

• Gareth Southgate names 25-man squad for Brazil and Belgium friendlies

• Jarrad Branthwaite and Anthony Gordon earn first England call ups

• Joe Gomez and Ivan Toney return to fold for final squad before Euros

• Kalvin Phillips dropped: ‘His form hasn’t been good enough'

• Southgate on Ben White: ‘He didn’t want to be considered for England at this time'

• England missing several players including Grealish, Trippier and Alexander-Arnold

• Final 23-man group to be announced in June ahead of Euro 2024

Southgate admits injured Luke Shaw is ‘touch and go’ for Euros

17:59 , Lawrence Ostlere

Gareth Southgate had some interesting things to say about Luke Shaw, who is sidelined with an injury until May. The manager has previously said he would be reluctant to take half-fit players to the Euros, particularly given the smaller squad size this time around (reduced from 26 players at the Qatar World Cup back down to 23), and he seemed to reiterate that point here.

When asked whether Shaw was “touch and go” for the summer, Southgate told Radio 5 Live: “Well, we’d have to say yes is the answer to that because the timelines would suggest he’ll only be available in the dying embers of the season. You don’t know what version of the player you’re going to get.

“We might have everybody that’s currently injured back and available, but how fit and how match fit and how robust [they are] to get through a tournament, we’re going to have to work that out as well in the next few months.”

When will the final squad be announced?

15:53 , Lawrence Ostlere

The Premier League concludes on 19 May, and England’s training squad will be announced two days later, likely to comprise of 26 players or more as Gareth Southgate considers his final choices.

England play their first of two warm-up games before the Euros against Bosnia on Monday 3 June. That is only two days after the Champions League final, meaning Manchester City or Arsenal players who make the final will likely be given a period of rest before joining up with the camp.

The final 23-man squad will be named on Saturday 8 June.

Key dates before Euro 2024:

Tuesday 21 May – Training squad announcement at St George’s Park

Monday 3 June – England v Bosnia & Herzegovina, St James’ Park, KO 7.45pm

Friday 7 June – England v Iceland, Wembley Stadium, KO 7.45pm

Saturday 8 June – Final squad announced (submission to Uefa)

Monday 10 June – Squad fly to Germany

Who’s on the plane, who’s in contention and who has work to do?

15:46 , Lawrence Ostlere

So what does all this mean for England’s Euro 2024 squad? Can Anthony Gordon and Jarrad Branthwaite force their way into the squad? And are Raheem Sterling and Kalvin Phillips doomed?

A closer look at which England players are heading to Germany for Euro 2024 and who might miss out on the final 23:

England’s Euro 2024 squad: Who’s on the plane and who has work to do?

Ivan Toney back in the England fold after year absence

15:18 , Lawrence Ostlere

Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been handed an immediate England recall after serving an eight-month ban for breaching betting rules.

Toney was banned last May after breaching 232 English Football Association betting rules and also fined £50,000. An independent commission said the punishment could have been worse if he had not been diagnosed with a gambling addiction. Among a “substantial number of breaches,” its report said some of Toney’s bets could have resulted in the maximum punishment of a lifetime ban.

Toney played for the first time this season on 20 January and scored in Brentford’s 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. He has four goals in nine games.

It is almost exactly a year since his last England appearance, a 2-0 win against Ukraine in a European Championship qualifier.

Arsenal post social media video hailing Ben White

15:00 , Lawrence Ostlere

Southgate’s comments about Ben White – that he doesn’t “want to be considered for England squads at this time” – have stirred plenty of reaction on social media.

Perhaps it is not a coincidence that Arsenal timed his new contract announcement, and accompanying celebratory video, to go out a couple of hours before the England manager’s press conference.

Arsenal may well have been given a heads up that Southgate was going to talk about the situation, as the manager didn’t want to lie to the media about why White was being left out of the England squad. So maybe the club have done what they can to protect their player.

Southgate on Anthony Gordon: ‘I really like his attitude'

14:49 , Lawrence Ostlere

Anthony Gordon is another to earn a first call-up to Southgate’s squad after scoring 10 times for Newcastle this season.

“Consistently good performances. He was very close in November and he’s continued his form,” Southgate explained. “He is scoring, his work for the team is excellent and he competes, so I really like his attitude.”

Report: England call up Jarrad Branthwaite and Anthony Gordon as Kalvin Phillips left out

14:37 , Lawrence Ostlere

Jarrad Branthwaite and Anthony Gordon have received their first England call-ups but there was no place for Kalvin Phillips in Gareth Southgate’s last squad before making his Euro 2024 selection.

Joe Gomez, who won the last of his 11 senior caps in October 2020, has returned from the international wilderness for March’s Wembley friendlies against Belgium and Brazil.

Full story:

England summon Jarrad Branthwaite and Anthony Gordon as Kalvin Phillips left out

Southgate: ‘Branthwaite’s in on merit'

14:28 , Lawrence Ostlere

Centre-back Branthwaite earns a maiden England call-up after a fine breakthrough season with Everton.

Southgate said: “He’s good with the ball, shows good composure, good mentality. He’s a left-footer and we don’t have many left-footed defenders. He’s in on merit and we’re keen to find out more about him.”

Southgate on Ben White: ‘He didn’t want to be considered for England squads at this time'

14:17 , Lawrence Ostlere

Southgate revealed Arsenal defender Ben White would have been in the 25-man squad but has made himself unavailable for England selection.

“Clearly on form I can’t sit here and say he doesn’t deserve to be in,” Southgate explained. “We, John McDermott and I, had a call from Edu (Arsenal sporting director) last week (and he) said Ben didn’t want to be considered for England squads at this time.

“For me that is a great shame. He is a player we took to the Euros, a player we took to the World Cup and I spoke to him post-Qatar because I wanted to pick him. He is not available to us and there is no issue between us at all and I also should say there is never any issue with (coach) Steve Holland because that has been mentioned in articles and I don’t like that.

“I want that door wide open. He would be in this squad but he’s not available to us and I have to focus on who can help us.”

Southgate: ‘Phillips hasn’t been good enough'

14:15 , Lawrence Ostlere

Kalvin Phillips has been dropped after a torrid run of form since he joined West Ham on loan in January.

The midfielder was at fault for a goal on his debut against Bournemouth before he was sent off at Nottingham Forest last month and hooked at half-time of Sunday’s 2-2 draw at home to Burnley.

England manager Gareth Southgate said: “Well, I think he knows exactly what we think of him. A good version of him is an important player for us and that’s why we’ve supported him as we have. Unfortunately his form hasn’t been good enough and I’ve spoken to him about that. He understands.

“He has all the attributes to force his way back in. He just needs to find that rhythm and confidence because there is an outstanding player in there.”

England confirm 25-player squad

14:09 , Lawrence Ostlere

There will only be 23 players named in the final squad for the Euros, so at least two of those picked today will be cut when the group is announced in May.

Then there are the injured players who may return – Jack Grealish, Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Marc Guehi, potentially Reece James and Luke Shaw...

England confirm 25-player squad

14:05 , Lawrence Ostlere

So Joe Gomez, who won the last of his 11 senior caps in October 2020, has returned from the international wilderness for March’s Wembley friendlies against Belgium and Brazil.

Ivan Toney is back involved at the first opportunity after serving an eight-month Football Association betting ban, but Raheem Sterling is conspicuous by his absence once again.

Jarrad Branthwaite and Anthony Gordon have received their first England call-ups but there is no place for Kalvin Phillips in Gareth Southgate’s last squad before making his Euro 2024 selection.

Confirmed 25-player England squad

13:59 , Lawrence Ostlere

Here is the England squad for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.

Goalkeepers: Pickford, Ramsdale, Johnstone.

Defenders: Branthwaite, Chilwell, Dunk, Gomez, Konsa, Maguire, Stones, Walker.

Midfielders: Rice, Henderson, Gallagher, Maddison, Bellingham.

Forwards: Bowen, Foden, Gordon, Kane, Palmer, Rashford, Saka, Toney, Watkins.

England squad set to be announced...

13:57 , Jamie Braidwood

Just a few more minutes...

When are England’s friendlies?

13:52 , Jamie Braidwood

Saturday 23 March

England vs Brazil - 7pm, Wembley

Tuesday 26 March

England vs Belgium, 7:45pm, Wembley

England’s Euro 2024 squad: Who’s on the plane, who’s in contention and who has work to do?

13:46 , Jamie Braidwood

But there are now only two friendlies left for players to impress the manager before he decides on his final 23 players.

England can look forward to glamour exhibition matches against Brazil and Belgium later this month – with Southgate due to name his squad for those contests later this week – but the fierce competition for places will mean form in the Premier League and around Europe will be crucial for the rest of the campaign.

Here is a closer look at who is heading to the Euros, and who might miss out.

England’s Euro 2024 squad: Who’s on the plane and who has work to do?

Who else could make Southgate’s midfield?

13:31 , Jamie Braidwood

Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are in, James Maddison and Conor Gallagher look close, as does Trent Alexander-Arnold when he returns from injury.

Curtis Jones was pushing for a first call-up before he was injured last month, while his Liverpool team-mate Harvey Elliott has impressed for the Reds and has captained the Under-21s.

Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are enjoying good seasons at Luton and Milan respectively and are former England internationals, but James Ward-Prowse has been used by Southgate before but doesn’t appear to be in contention any more.

Could Kobbie Mainoo receive first England call-up?

13:14 , Jamie Braidwood

The Manchester United midfielder had yet to start a Premier League game the last time the England squad met up. but the 18-year-old has joined the conversation thanks to his excellent performances in recent weeks.

Mainoo has shone in a United team that has been hit by injuries and is often involved in frantic, end-to-end games. He has been one of the few to show composure, and an England call-up looks sure to happen at some point.

The Euros might be a bit soon, however, but Southgate has been keeping an eye on Mainoo’s progression.

Would Southgate be able to justify picking Kalvin Phillips?

13:06 , Jamie Braidwood

Latest rumours suggest that Kalvin Phillips will miss out on Southgate’s squad this afternoon. Phillips joined West Ham on loan in January looking for game time, but there is a chance that has actually harmed his chances.

The midfielder has struggled since returning to the pitch, culpable for goals conceded against Bournemouth and Manchester United and sent off in the Hammers’s 2-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

It’s seen Phillips drop down to the bench in recent weeks. Not exactly the “fresh start” he was hoping for.

Will Southgate stick with Jordan Henderson?

12:46 , Jamie Braidwood

Now, the midfield question.

“The probability is that Southgate’s two most contentious selections, twin examples of his stubborn loyalty, will be in the centre of the pitch,” writes The Independent’s Senior Football Correspondent Richard Jolly.

Jordan Henderson has probably boosted his chances now he is no longer in Saudi Arabia, but the fact he was still picked while playing for Al-Ettifaq suggests how committed Southgate is to the former Liverpool captain.

Southgate went to see Henderson play in one of his first appearances for Ajax - but was it enough?

Has the time come for Dominic Solanke?

12:27 , Jamie Braidwood

In most other years, the Bournemouth striker would be nailed on to make the England squad. The former Under-21 international has scored 14 goals in the Premier League this season and has taken a clear step forward this season.

There is so much competition among the forwards, however, so Solanke may have to wait his turn unless Southgate wants to try something new ahead of the Euros.

Could Southgate offer Ivan Toney a recall?

12:09 , Jamie Braidwood

Now this would be a twist. Ivan Toney was in the England squad a year ago, before he was banned for eight months for breaching betting rules. The Brentford striker has returned to action but has now gone four games without a goal.

But Southgate has seen something before, and his ability to take penalties is certainly an asset ahead of a major tournament...

Ollie Watkins leading the race to be Harry Kane’s back-up

11:53 , Jamie Braidwood

Ollie Watkins is having an oustanding season for Aston Villa and his 16 goals in the Premier League this season is only two behind Erling Haaland. With a further 10 assists, Watkins leads the Premier League in overall goal contributions.

While the 28-year-old had a difficult night against North Macedonia in November, he should have the chance to audition again for the role of Kane’s back-up again.

Can Cole Palmer get another England chance?

11:34 , Jamie Braidwood

One of the signings of the season in the Premier League, Cole Palmer has scored 11 goals and set up a further nine in his debut year for Chelsea. The 21-year-old is arguably Chelsea’s best player and was called up to the England squad as an injury replacement back in November. He is making a strong case to be included for the Euros.

Does Jarrod Bowen deserve to keep his spot?

11:14 , Jamie Braidwood

Surely? Bowen has scored 14 times in the Premier League this season for a defensive West Ham team and has shown his quality from the right wing. Only Erling Haaland, Ollie Watkins and Mohamed Salah have scored more.

There is plenty of competition, but Bowen is currently out-performing the likes of Rashford and Grealish, and it seems certain that he gets the opportunity to add to his five caps.

Will Southgate keep faith with Marcus Rashford?

10:55 , Jamie Braidwood

The Manchester United forward’s struggles with form at times this season have been well documented, but Southgate usually focuses on the bigger picture and sticks with those who he trusts.

Rashford has scored in his past two games and Southgate has kept faith with him in the past.

Has Raheem Sterling done enough for a recall?

10:36 , Jamie Braidwood

Only Harry Kane has scored more goals for England under Gareth Southgate than Raheem Sterling, but the winger has not played for his country since the 2022 World Cup.

Has Southgate moved on from the 29-year-old? He has preferred other options in Jack Grealish, Jarrod Bowen and even Cole Palmer in recent squads.

It does not feel like Sterling has been consistent enough to alter Southgate’s thinking, although injury to Grealish could have opened up a spot.

A return for Joe Gomez or Eric Dier?

10:16 , Jamie Braidwood

Perhaps. Gomez is a versatile option, and has played at right back, centre-back, left back and holding midfield for Liverpool this season. He was in Southgate’s plans the season Liverpool won the Premier League in 2019/20 and would have won more caps had it not been for injury.

Dier, meanwhile, is back playing with Bayern Munich, and has been used by Southgate more recently. He could come in as injury cover before the Euros.

Could Jarrad Branthwaite enter Southgate’s thinking?

09:57 , Jamie Braidwood

The 21-year-old has impressed at Everton this season and gives Southgate a left-footed option at centre-back, while he is also a composed and capable passer from the back. Levi Colwill is an injury doubt, so Southgate may look to Branthwaite to give cover to Harry Maguire.

England squad announcement LIVE

09:37 , Jamie Braidwood

He’s already received the backing of Kieran Trippier, so could Tino Livramento replace his Newcastle teammate for country as well as club? The 21-year-old was Newcastle’s best player during Monday’s 3-2 defeat at Chelsea, with Southgate watching on. Could a first England call-up follow?

Now or never for Ben White?

09:19 , Jamie Braidwood

White has impressed for Arsenal this season, with the Gunners at the top of the Premier League and through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, but he has not played for England since leaving the World Cup midway through the tournament in December 2022.

With so many injuries at right back, is this his chance to return? He can pretty much wave goodbye to his England career if Southgate does not select him, or White may have decided that he is happy without playing international football.

England squad announcement LIVE

08:59 , Jamie Braidwood

We do know the players who have already been ruled out due to injury - and there are lots, especially at full-back:

• Trent Alexander-Arnold

• Reece James

• Kieran Trippier

• Luke Shaw

• Ben Chilwell

• Marc Guehi

• Callum Wilson

• Nick Pope

• Curtis Jones

There are few doubts to add to that as well, including Anthony Gordon.

England squad announcement LIVE

08:45 , Jamie Braidwood

Despite the decisions facing Southgate, we know at least some of the players who will be making his squad today, unless there are any injury problems we are not aware about.

You can be sure to include:

• Harry Kane

• Jude Bellingham

• Declan Rice

• John Stones

• Kyle Walker

• Bukayo Saka

• Phil Foden

• Harry Maguire

The rest? We’ll just have to find out...

Every issue facing England as Gareth Southgate makes major Euro 2024 squad decision

08:32 , Jamie Braidwood

It is decision time for Gareth Southgate. On Thursday, he will announce his squad for England’s friendlies against Brazil and Belgium. The last internationals before the summer represent a window into his thinking, to who will make the cut for Euro 2024.

With tournament squads reduced to 23, Southgate has more difficult decisions to make and less scope to appease fringe figures than he did when he could take 26 players to Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.

In turn, it may give less of chance to experiment while rewarding the versatile. For now, and partly because of injuries, Southgate has issues in every department of the squad. He has too many players in some positions, not enough in others, decisions to make in all.

Richard Jolly previews Southgate’s selection:

Every issue facing England as Gareth Southgate makes major Euro 2024 squad decision

England squad announcement LIVE

08:31 , Jamie Braidwood

How many players will Southgate name today?

It depends. As England are playing friendlies this month, he could name as many as he wants.

But the Euros will see a return to 23-player squads, after they were increased to 26 players for Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.

You would think Southgate would be wanting to narrow down by now.

England squad announcement LIVE

08:30 , Jamie Braidwood

Hello and welcome.

It’s a big day for Gareth Southgate as he announces his latest England squad ahead of friendlies against Brazil and Belgium later this month.

The England squad will be released at 2pm today before Southgate holds a press conference at Wembley Stadium, where the Three Lions will play both games.

Stay tuned for all the build-up and news ahead of the announcement today.