Ollie Watkins will hope England remember when the boss Gareth South Gate He announced his first roster since the World Cup on Thursday.
Southgate chose to stay in the role after England lost to France in the quarter-finals in Qatar before Christmas and will move the country to Euro 2024 next summer, with qualifiers kicking off this month.
While Watkins may be in the squad to play against Italy and Ukraine after his outstanding form at Aston Villa, the Chelsea duo Reece James and Ben Chilwell could return after missing the World Cup due to injury.
With seven appearances, Watkins was absent from the Middle East squad but has scored six goals in his last seven games and it will be hard for Southgate to ignore him, especially when it comes to other offensive issues.
Brentford striker Ivan ToneyAlso excluded from the World Cup squad, he could miss again as he was released on disciplinary action for violating the Football Association’s betting rules.
The 26-year-old, who is the second English top scorer in the Premier League this season after Harry Kane with 15 goals, was watched by Southgate in Saturday’s Bees’ 1-0 defeat to Everton, but the result is yet to be determined. See if it’s approved or not.
Callum Wilson went to Qatar and was impressed by a minor role, but has only scored one goal in 13 appearances for Newcastle since the domestic season resumed.
Jadon Sancho may also be in contention for a recall after a reckoning spell.
The Manchester United winger has made only one appearance for England since the Euro 2020 final and was not part of Southgate’s World Cup plans.
Sancho also walked away from club football before Christmas because he was “not in the right shape or fit”, but returned in early February and was part of the United side that was on the verge of winning the Carabao Cup. Advance to the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
in another place, James Madison All eyes will be on whether Arsenal defender Ben White, who had a good season for the Gunners, will be included after he left the World Cup camp early for “personal reasons”.
On whether there were any issues for White, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said: “I don’t think so. He’s in great shape, ready for any game and performing well for us.
“He’s available for us, so he’ll definitely be available for the England team.”
Southgate may also give a chance to some new faces, with Nottingham Forest forward Morgan Gibbs-White, of whom Southgate is a known fan, and Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott.
Forest boss Steve Cooper said of Gibbs-White: “I don’t know if he will be selected. It’s going really well, the exciting thing is that there’s so much more to do.
“It’s not a development period, but the first experience of being a regular Premier League player was a joy to struggle.
“I know it’s a passion for him to be in the system with him along the way and he knows that if that’s a motivation, he needs to keep going and improve at club level in Nottingham Forest.”
England begins their Group C campaign with a visit to Italy on 23 March, and Ukraine leaves for Wembley three days later.