Saka returns to England squad as Southgate snubs Sterling

Bukayo Saka has returned to Gareth Southgate's England squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia later this month.

Callum Wilson is back, replacing the sidelined Eddie Nketiah, while John Stones is absent after picking up a fresh injury for Manchester City against Young Boys on Tuesday night.

James Maddison is named despite he, Saka, Wilson and Jude Bellingham carrying knocks and Southgate admitted that his squad may look different by Sunday evening.

The England boss said: "We could lose one to four of them today after a scan.

"You'd be amazed how complicated it is picking a squad because all the clubs are sensitive with their information and you're trying to piece everything together.

"Callum Wilson is the biggest doubt but I'm pretty confident that the others can get through and they're all keen to be in the squad."

Southgate also elaborated on the continued absence of Raheem Sterling, who has not been selected since last year's World Cup elimination against France.

The 53-year-old insists there is no reason for not picking the Chelsea forward other than the quality of other options he has in that area of the pitch.

He said: "Who do I leave out?

"The door is 100% open, not just for him but for other players that aren't in this squad. There's no doubt about that.

"He wasn't available in March or June and the team had started on a good run. We won in Italy for the first time in 60 years and the two performances in June were excellent.

"Raheem is looking dangerous for his club, he looks invigorated since the start of the season.

"There is huge competition for places. Jarrod Bowen has seven goals already this season, Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer are playing well.

"It's a changing landscape in that position."

The Three Lions take on Malta at Wembley on Friday, November 17 before heading to North Macedonia three days later.

Southgate's side have already qualified for Euro 2024 with 16 points from six games in Group C.

Full England squad to face Malta and North Macedonia

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

Defenders: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United).

Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Jordan Henderson (Al-Ettifaq), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea).

Forwards: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Phil Foden (Manchester City), James Maddison (Tottenham), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Callum Wilson (Newcastle), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal).