Gareth Southgate is considering handing the Liverpool defender Joe Gomez an international recall but Kalvin Phillips is sweating on his place in the England squad after a poor run of form.
Southgate will on Thursday name his squad for the friendlies against Brazil and Belgium this month but his plans have been hit by injuries to players in a variety of positions. One of the main headaches is a defensive crisis that has sidelined Kieran Trippier, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, Reece James and Luke Shaw. Harry Maguire, Levi Colwill and Ben Chilwell are doubts.
Southgate will have to adjust and his attention has been caught by Gomez, who has impressed for Liverpool this season. The versatile 26-year-old, who has not played for England since October 2020, is an attractive option because of his ability to play in every position across the back four. Southgate could also recall the former Tottenham centre-back Eric Dier, who has done well since joining Bayern Munich, and has tracked the Everton youngster Jarrad Branthwaite.
But the manager’s hopes of putting on strong displays against Brazil and Belgium could be undermined by injury problems. This is England’s final camp before the immediate buildup to Euro 2024 and they will not be able to put out their strongest side. Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been playing in midfield for his country, has a knee injury and Manchester City’s Jack Grealish has been out.
Alexander-Arnold’s absence is a blow given England’s lack of depth in midfield. The big call for Southgate will be whether to pick Phillips, who has struggled since joining West Ham on loan from City. The midfielder, who endured a nightmare 18-month spell at City, was substituted at half-time last weekend.
Southgate has been loyal to Phillips and, although there are doubts over his place, the likelihood is that he will be given another chance. He has been an important player for Southgate, who will hope he returns to his best before the Euros, and an issue is that there is little competition in midfield.
Curtis Jones and Mason Mount are injured, and Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze has had fitness issues. The Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo has an outside chance of a call-up but is more likely to be in the under-21 squad.
A shortage of options at left-back could lead to another opportunity for City’s Rico Lewis, who had an impressive debut against North Macedonia in November. The Chelsea winger Cole Palmer is in line for another call‑up.
The Tottenham midfielder James Maddison should return after missing the last camp through injury and the West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen will hope he has done enough to remain in the squad. Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon is hopeful of having avoided a serious knee injury against Chelsea on Monday. Southgate has been making checks on the winger, who has a chance of being involved.
Marcus Rashford has been inconsistent for United but the Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins looks likely to continue as Harry Kane’s back-up. Brentford’s Ivan Toney is available after his return from suspension but Newcastle’s Callum Wilson is injured. Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling has not played for England since the 2022 World Cup.
