Gareth Southgate overlooks Newcastle United star for England squad as two Magpies make the cut

One Newcastle United star has been shunned by Gareth Southgate amid Thursday’s England squad announcement.

The Three Lions are back in competitive action next week as the Euro 2024 qualifiers get going. England find themselves in a group with Italy, Malta, North Macedonia and Ukraine, and it has the potential to be a particularly difficult group. The top two will land spots in Germany, and Italy and Ukraine are up first for Southgate’s men.

Ahead of the qualifying campaign getting underway, Southgate has announced his squad for this international period, and two Newcastle players have been selected. Kieran Trippier, who has been a staple of Southgate’s squads, has been called up, while goalkeeper Nick Pope has also bee selected.

The headline as far as Newcastle are concerned is the omission of striker Callum Wilson, who has six caps to date. Wilson has scored seven and assisted three in the Premier League this season, but he has been overlooked by Southgate, who has gone with Brentford frontman Ivan Toney, with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins also missing out.

Elsewhere, Kyle Walker has been included, despite being subject to a police investigation, while Harry Maguire also makes the cut. The same can’t be said for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been left out amid poor form for Liverpool.

The full England squad for the March international period is as follows...

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defenders: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Maddison (Leicester City), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham United)

Forwards: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford)