Leeds star secures maiden call-up, as Southgate explains Mason Greenwood’s England omission

The latest England international squad was unveiled a short time ago, with a number of noteworthy takeaways having since, in turn, been forthcoming.

Bamford included

Gareth Southgate’s men are of course set to return to action early next month, as part of the latest international break.

In the nation’s first taste of action since coming within inches of glory at Euro 2020, the Three Lions will play out a trio of World Cup qualifiers.

First up comes a trip to Budapest, to face Hungary on September 2nd. And this will be followed by a Wembley meeting with Andorra three days later, before England get back on the road for a showdown with Poland on September 8th.

As such, as is customary in the weeks leading up to an international break, Southgate today confirmed the players set to represent the Three Lions in their latest round of fixtures.

A number of eye-catching inclusions feature, most notably in the form of Leeds United hitman Patrick Bamford, who has finally been rewarded for his stellar exploits at Elland Road with a debut England call-up.

Liverpool stopper Trent Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, is too back amongst the nation’s ranks, after being controversially omitted from Southgate’s squad for the European Championships:

‘At the right time’

Without doubt the decision to have since sparked the most debate when it comes to England’s latest panel, though, has come in the form of the omission of Mason Greenwood.

Manchester United talent Greenwood has enjoyed a fine start to the new campaign, netting in both of his Premier League appearances to date.

In turn, the 19-year-old being spurned on Thursday came as a major surprise.

Gareth Southgate was therefore inevitably drawn on his call to leave Greenwood in Manchester during a press conference a short time ago.

And the Three Lions boss appeared to keen to remain positive when it comes to the Red Devils attacker’s prospects at international level moving forward, assuring that Greenwood will feature more prominently under his watch ‘at the right time’:

‘He is in our thoughts, I’ve spoken with him and with his club. He’s a player we really like and we think he’s got every possibility to be a top England player, we’re all very conscious we make that progression at the right time.’