Lee Carsley springs a few surprises with his first England squad

Lee Carsley had made his mark as interim England manager by making some surprise selections for his first senior international squad.

Carsley, who has replaced Gareth Southgate, is effectively starting a trial to be named permanent England head coach.

And he has kicked off by naming 26 players including new faces such as Morgan Gibbs-White, Tino Livramento, Angel Gomes and Noni Madueke.

Manchester City’s Jack Grealish and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire have been recalled, but there is no place for Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Lewis Dunk, Adam Wharton. Ivan Toney, Aaron Ramsdale, Joe Gomez or Arsenal defender Ben White.

Carsley said the door is still open to all England players as he explained his selections for the forthcoming matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland when he said: “The players that have been called up are really exciting players.

“I think it is fair to say the job that Gareth and Steve Holland did [before me] and the position I am picking the squad up is totally different to when they picked it up.

“I understand I am in a really privileged position and I am excited to meet up with the players.”

North Londoner Gomes, now at Lille having started his career at Manchester United, is perhaps the least predicted selection as Carsley has placed his faith in a number of men who starred for him with his successful under-21 squad.

Carsley’s first England squad:

Goalkeepers: Pickford; Henderson, Pope

Defenders: Alexander-Arnold, Colwill, Guehi, Konsa, Lewis, Livramento, Maguire, Stones

Midfielders: Foden, Gallagher, Gibbs-White, Gomes, Mainoo, Palmer, Rice

Forwards: Madueke, Grealish, Kane, Gordon, Eze, Bowen, Saka, Watkins