Branthwaite and Gordon receive first England call-ups

Jarrad Branthwaite and Anthony Gordon have been called up to Gareth Southgate's England squad for the first time.

Everton defender Branthwaite, 21, is expected to get a chance to impress in this month's friendlies against Brazil and Belgium ahead of Euro 2024 this summer.

Southgate said: "He's played consistently well. We watched him as a centre-half in the [European] Under-21 Championship last year.

"And if you'd said to me he would play as consistently at Premier League level like he has done, I'd have questioned that last summer, so credit to him.

"He's good with the ball, shows good composure and [has] good mentality.

"He's a left-footer, which we don't have many of, so he's in on merit and we're really keen to work with him and find out a bit more about him."

Gordon, 23, is a surprise inclusion after suffering an injury in Newcastle's 3-2 defeat at Chelsea on Monday, with Blues vice-captain Ben Chilwell also named despite his fitness issues.

Midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who is on loan at West Ham from Manchester City, misses out but Hammers team-mate Jarrod Bowen is in.

Cole Palmer has been rewarded for his fine Chelsea form with another call-up, as have attacking duo Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney.

Watkins' uncapped Aston Villa team-mate Ezri Konsa is also included, with Joe Gomez recalled for the first time in nearly four years.

Meanwhile, Southgate revealed Arsenal defender Ben White — who has not been involved with the Three Lions since leaving the 2022 World Cup camp early — asked not to be in contention for selection.

Southgate, 53, said: "Clearly on form I can't sit here and say White doesn't deserve to be in.

"We had a call from [Arsenal sporting director] Edu last week [and he] said Ben didn't want to be considered for England squads at this time.

"For me, that's a great shame. He's a player we took to the Euros and the World Cup. I spoke to him post-Qatar because I wanted to pick him.

"He's not available to us and there's no issue between us.

"I also should say there is never any issue with [coach] Steve Holland because that's been mentioned in articles and I don't like that.

"I want that door wide open. He would be in this squad but he's not available and I have to focus on who can help us."

England face Brazil on March 23 before going head-to-head with Belgium three days later, with both clashes taking place at Wembley.

England squad

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

Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), James Maddison (Tottenham), Declan Rice (Arsenal).

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).