England boss Southgate picks squad for Malta qualifier

Gareth Southgate has named a 28-strong squad for England’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia. Nathaniel Chalobah – England’s most-capped youth international – has earned his first senior call-up along with Harry Maguire, of Leicester City. Southgate has promoted uncapped Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford from the Under-21 squad while Danny Welbeck returns to the fray having not appeared since the 3-2 win over Germany in March 2016. Adam Lallana – scorer of England's winner in Slovakia last September – misses out due to injury. The England players are due to report at St George’s Park on Sunday before traveling to face Malta on Friday 1 September. Then, on Monday 4 September, comes a crucial game at Wembley Stadium against Slovakia, who are currently two points behind England at the top of Group F. England squad to face Malta & Slovakia:Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Jack Butland (Stoke City), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Chalobah (Watford), Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United), Jermain Defoe (AFC Bournemouth), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Joe Hart (West Ham United, on loan from Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Michael Keane (Everton), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Jake Livermore (West Bromwich Albion), Harry Maguire (Leicester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), John Stones (Manchester City), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal)