Gareth Southgate has named the England squad against Slovenia and Lithuania for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The Three Lions host Slovenia at Wembley on Thursday before taking on Lithuania away three days later.
Dele Alli has been named in England’s squad despite the threat of a FIFA ban hanging overhead, while Fabian Delph has been called up by Gareth Southgate for the first time.
The Three Lions welcome Slovenia to Wembley next Thursday, before rounding off World Cup qualification with a trip to the Baltics to take on Lithuania.
Alli has been included in England’s squad for the final Group F matches. However, his middle-finger gesture in the qualifier against Slovakia could lead FIFA to hand out a ban ruling the attacking midfielder out of both games.
The Football Association had been hoping to find out about his availability before Thursday’s squad announcement. As had always been intended, the 21-year-old has been called up despite his position being unclear.
FIFA confirmed to Press Association Sport that its Disciplinary Committee would make a decision on Alli by Thursday. They warned “disciplinary decisions are usually notified and communicated a few days after the hearing”.
Manchester City midfielder Delph was the standout name in the 26-man squad, having won the last of his nine caps against Spain in November 2015.
There are recalls for Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph and Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster, who replaces Tom Heaton.
Delph’s last cap came against Spain in November 2015.
Leicester City defender Harry Maguire retains his place following his call-up for the matches against Malta and Slovakia earlier this month.
The Three Lions are due to link up at St. George’s Park on Sunday before hosting Slovenia at Wembley on Thursday 5 October.
They will then take on Lithuania in Vilnius three days later.
England are two points clear at the top of qualifying Group F and need just one win from the final two matches to seal a place at Russia 2018.
Tickets for England v Slovenia are still available, priced from just ÂŁ20 for adults and ÂŁ10 for concessions. Click here to secure yours now!
England squad to face Slovenia and Lithuania
Goalkeepers:Â Joe Hart (West Ham, on loan from Manchester City), Fraser Forster (Southampton), Jack Butland (Stoke), Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Defenders:Â Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Aaron Cresswell (West Ham), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Harry Maguire (Leicester), John Stones (Manchester City), Michael Keane (Everton), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham)
Midfielders:Â Eric Dier (Tottenham), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Jake Livermore (West Brom), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Dele Alli (Tottenham)
Forwards:Â Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Bournemouth), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
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