Thomas Tuchel has spoken to exiled defender Ben White as the England head coach prepares to name his first squad.
German coach Tuchel officially started work on January 1 and has spent the last seven weeks watching numerous games across Europe whilst also holding direct conversations with several players as he finalises his squad.
It remains to be seen whether White is included in Tuchel’s party next month ahead of the games versus Latvia and Albania after the Arsenal defender made himself unavailable for international duty ever since World Cup 2022 after a disagreement with then assistant head coach Steve Holland at the tournament.
Speaking in December, Tuchel revealed he would contact White about over a potential return to the England fold - with those conversations believed to have now taken place.
It is unclear whether the talks will lead to White, who is fit again following a three-month lay off after knee surgery, returning to England availability, with no indications of how the conversation went.
Arsenal are giving White space to make his decision and will support whatever choice he chooses.
White, who can play across defence and even central midfield, would provide great versatility to Tuchel if he wants to play for England again - a clear benefit for any international coach particularly during tournaments.
At right-back, White’s usual position, England already have the likes of Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James and Tino Livramento.
But having the option of selecting White again would arrive as a boost to Tuchel as he starts his reign as England boss.
Meanwhile, Brentford coach Justin Cochrane is set to join Tuchel’s coaching staff ahead of next month’s World Cup qualifiers.
The FA are in talks with the Premier League club to appoint Cochrane, who holds the role of head of coaching with the Bees, out Tuchel’s staff.
The governing body have provided a platform for coaches of BAME origin on the senior coaching staff; Chris Powell, Paul Nevin and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink all held roles under Gareth Southgate.
And Cochrane is set to be the latest ethnic minority coach to be part of England’s senior set up.
Anthony Barry, Nicolas Mayer, Henrique Hilario and James Melbourne have already been added to Tuchel’s staff.