LEE CARSLEY MAKES BEN WHITE SELECTION CALL AND STAMPS AUTHORITY WITH FIRST ENGLAND SQUAD

Ben White's international exile looks set to continue.

England interim boss Lee Carsley names his first squad today for the back-to-back Nations League fixtures with Republic of Ireland and Finland on September 7 and 10 respectively. Arsenal defender White has not been in the England set-up since leaving the England squad during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Former Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate had a conversation about him returning in March but White made himself unavailable and did not go to the Euros. White has been in brilliant form for Arsenal and has not ruled out a return in the future but is unlikely to be named in the squad this time.

Carsley is ready to stamp his authority on the England squad even though he has only been given the role on a caretaker basis. However, the incentive is there that if they win all six fixtures - with Greece also in England’s Group - then Carsley would put himself in a strong position to get it permanently.

Carsley led England’s under-21s to victory in the European Championships last year and is certain to include as many players as possible from his time working with the age groups.

That could mean a chance for Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White while the likes of Harvey Elliott were part of that squad. Noni Madueke shone for Chelsea as he scored a hat trick at Wolves last Sunday while Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill were also part of that success.

Palmer is certain to take a bigger role going forward and this time Jude Bellingham is out injured so they may look on the Chelsea star to provide the inspiration from midfield.

Kieran Trippier is at risk as he turns 34 next month and has not started the season for Newcastle with Tino Livramento also pushing for inclusion.

Harry Maguire will be hoping to get back in the squad after missing out on a place at the Euros. Luke Shaw and Jarrad Branthwaite are both out injured.

But it looks certain that Carsley - who represented Republic of Ireland 40 times - will want to stamp his style of play on the squad. Carsley is known for wanting to play free-flowing, attractive football and has also shaken up his backroom staff with the likes of keeper coach Martin Margetson and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink departing.

Former England defender Ashley Cole was part of Carsley’s staff with the under-21s and has stepped up along with Joleon Lescott and Tim Dittmer, the FA's head of coaching.

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2024-08-28T21:40:25Z dg43tfdfdgfd