LONDON: Ivan Toney of Brentford has been included to England coach Gareth Southgate's squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Germany and Italy.

Just two months before the World Cup kicks off, though, the Manchester United combo of Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho are not included.

There will always be extra interest in Southgate's final squad before players are named to travel to Qatar. Rashford has a minor injury, but Sancho's seat on the plane must now be seriously questioned, as per reports.

After contributing six assists and scoring 17 Premier League goals in just over a season with Brentford, Toney, 26, gets his moment. He is a threat in the air and on set pieces in addition to being an efficient penalty taker.

Tottenham's Eric Dier, who hasn't played since November 2020, is back in Southgate's 28-man squad, along with Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell, both left backs.

Despite losing his starting spot for Manchester United under the new manager Erik ten Hag, Harry Maguire also receives a call-up, and midfielder Kalvin Phillips is also included despite seeing very little action since joining Manchester City from Leeds United in the summer.

Sancho, who last played for England in October 2021, is also handed a chance in front of West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen.

Even if Rashford and Sancho have both progressed since Ten Hag became Manchester United's manager, they must unquestionably perform at their peak during the six weeks that will pass between the conclusion of this international break and the last games before the World Cup.

The squad is listed below: Aaron Ramsdale, Nick Pope, and Dean Henderson are the goalkeepers.

Defenders: Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Chilwell, Conor Coady, Eric Dier, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Fikayo Tomori, Kieran Trippier, and Kyle Walker

Jude Bellingham, Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice, and James Ward are all midfielders.

Tammy Abraham, Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, and Ivan Toney are examples of proficient forwards.

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