After stunning Man City, Cole Palmer gets England call up

Cole Palmer and Rico Lewis have been called up to the senior England squad, as Gareth Southgate responds to several withdrawals.

Callum Wilson and James Maddison have already pulled out through injury, with Jude Bellingham expected to join them in dropping out as he struggles to recover from a shoulder problem. The Three Lions conclude their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a visit from Malta on Friday and a trip to North Macedonia next Monday.

In light of the drop outs, boss Southgate has responded by bringing Palmer and Lewis into his senior group for the first time. Palmer has starred since joining Chelsea in the summer transfer window and scored an injury-time equaliser in the thrilling draw with Manchester City on Sunday.

Though he wasn’t involved in that barnstormer at Stamford Bridge, Lewis has also earned a reward for his impressive form. Both Palmer and Lewis had originally been named in the Under-21s squad for the upcoming break, but they will now join up with Southgate’s side instead.