Palace star Eze rewarded with first England call-up

Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze has earned his first call-up to Gareth Southgate's England squad for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Lewis Dunk and Tyrone Mings all return to the Three Lions fold, with Raheem Sterling, Ben White and Eric Dier among the notable absentees.

Brighton captain Dunk has the chance to add to his solitary international cap, picked up against the United States in 2018.

Newcastle striker Callum Wilson replaces Ivan Toney, who was hit with an eight-month ban for betting breaches last week.

Marcus Rashford is also available again after pulling out of the previous squad through injury.

On Palace star Eze, 24, Southgate said: "We've liked him for a long time. He was very unfortunate just before the Euros, we were going to call him in and he got an injury on the day. 

"He has finished the season really strongly. He can play in a couple of positions across the attacking line. 

"Everyone I speak to talks brilliantly about him as a person."

Sterling's exclusion was agreed between Southgate and the Chelsea attacker, with the 52-year-old boss saying: "He's not happy physically with his condition, having been carrying a hamstring problem. He really wasn't in consideration."

The ex-City star's Blues team-mates Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell and Reece James have also not made the cut after missing the final part of the club season through injury.

Tottenham stopper Fraser Forster sits out next month's action, with Palace keeper Sam Johnstone picked ahead of the 35-year-old and Newcastle's Nick Pope sidelined with a hand injury.

The Three Lions travel to Malta on June 16 before hosting North Macedonia at Old Trafford on June 19.

Southgate's men sit top of Group C after two matches following victories over Italy and Ukraine last March.

England squad in full

Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Maddison (Leicester), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham)

Forwards: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Callum Wilson (Newcastle)