England squad announcement LIVE: Gareth Southgate makes tough decisions ahead of March fixtures

Ivan Toney has returned to Gareth Southgate’s England squad - despite a potential ban hanging over his head. The in-form Brentford striker is in Southgate’s first squad since the World Cup quarter-final exit to France in December for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine this month.

But Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling is missing for the opening qualifying matches, having been absent for the Blues’ 3-1 win at Leicester at the weekend. Toney is still waiting for a Football Association verdict after being charged with 262 breaches of FA gambling rules, with a lengthy suspension possible.

He missed out for the tournament in Qatar - having been in the squad for Nations League games against Germany and Italy in September without playing. Toney’s inclusion means Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, with six goals in his last seven games, misses out.

Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker, being investigated by police after allegedly exposing himself in a bar, is included in the 25-man squad. Along with Sterling, Ben White, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady and Callum Wilson are absent having all gone to the World Cup.

Follow live updates as Gareth Southgate names his England squad .

Latest updates as Gareth Southgate announces England squad

• Gareth Southgate announces England squad for March qualifiers

• England face Italy and Ukraine in opening fixtures of Group C

England squad announcement: Latest updates

14:45 , Sarah Rendell

The press conferences zoomed by so quickly that there were a few answers from Gareth Southgate that I didn’t jot down. So I’ll be running through a few now so you are caught up on everything he said.

He said England have less depth of selection than other nations: “We’ve got to pick our best players where possible and there’s a balance.

“Do you go with a level of player who’s physically fit but not doing well and being selected? You have to pick your best players as long as they can get to a reasonable physical level.

“We’re shorter than other nations in depth of selection but I’m happy.”

More answers from Southgate to come...

England squad announcement: Latest updates

14:35 , Sarah Rendell

Gareth Southgate was asked about why he selected Ivan Toney and Kyle Walker despite them both being under investigation.

Toney breached the FA’s gambling rules and Walker is under investigation for indecent expose allegations.

Have a read of the piece below where the manager explained his decisions:

Gareth Southgate explains why he picked Ivan Toney and Kyle Walker

England squad announcement: Latest updates

14:25 , Sarah Rendell

Well let’s take a breath after a frantic half-an-hour! The team is out and some of the players who fans thought may be included have missed out, namely Solly March and James Ward-Prowse.

Here is a piece on all the omissions, have a read:

The biggest omissions from Gareth Southgate’s England squad

England squad announcement: Latest updates

14:23 , Sarah Rendell

Southgate added on Walker’s presence given his previous issues, namely his lockdown breaches: “I don’t think I can answer that any better than I just did really.”

And finally he was asked about the Lionesses and the access given to girls at schools: “I know for the girls a huge part of the drive for them to suceeed in the summer was the legacy piece. The opportunity for everyone to play the sport was high on their agenda, it’s great they have had the influence to get that through.

“On the equal pay, if men and women are doing the same job but aren’t being paid the same that isn’t right. In an economic world, the broadcasting figures have to tally. There is an economic reality to that. I have a daughter, if she is in an office I would want her to be paid equally. But there are economic factors across sports.”

England squad announcement: Latest updates

14:18 , Sarah Rendell

Southgate added on the attacking front three: “I don’t think it is extrodinary to what we have had in the past when Raheem [Sterling] has been flying or Jack [Grealish]. We have had spells, we are forutntae to have good attacking talent. It is always a headache with that position.”

The manager added on choosing Kyle Walker amid allegations: “It’s a complicated situation. I have spoken at length with him. As we sit here at the moment he is back with his club, there is no conclusive evidence to leave him out at the moment. I have to be careful to be the moral judge on things.”

He also spoke on leaving out Trent Alexander-Arnold: “I have always communicated clearly with all the players on their strengths and what they can improve upon. In the past we have maybe taken more players in that position but at this point in the season we are mindful not to take too many, especially if they aren’t going to play.”

And on having qualifiers so soon after a World Cup: “That’s the big challenge to go to a World Cup everyone wanted to be there, the hunger was there. Now you have to start again. I know exactly where our most senior players are with that challenge, they are ready. The Hendersons, the Kanes set the tone.”

England squad announcement: Latest updates

14:11 , Sarah Rendell

Gareth Southgate has spoken to media about his team: “I have got to pick the team and the squad which gives us the best chance of winning in the matches. Experience is part of that.. you have to get the balance right.”

And he added on his doubts of staying on as England managers: “The doubts I had were before the World Cup really. I have spoken a couple of months ago,I never wanted to be a devisive figure in my doing the job affecting the team. I did worry before the World Cup if I had to say I was going at the end would give the players a chance to play. We chose not to do that.”

England squad announcement: Latest updates

14:08 , Sarah Rendell

There are some changes from the World Cup squad with some players coming back in and some excluded.

The goalkeepers are exactly the game but there are changes in the defenders. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Coady both miss out with Ben Chilwell, Reece James and Marc Guhei in.

The other star to come in are in the forwards with Ivan Toney included. Raheem Sterling misses out through injury and Callum Wilson is not included.

England squad announcement: Latest updates

14:00 , Sarah Rendell

Here is what you have been waiting for, the squad! Conor Coady and Ben White miss out and Raheem Sterling is out with injury.

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defenders: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Maddison (Leicester City), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham United)

Forwards: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford)

England squad announcement: Latest updates

13:50 , Sarah Rendell

So get your last guesses in, finalise your predictions we are just 10 minutes away from the England squad dropping!

We will give you the full squad at 2pm for England’s match against Italy and Ukraine later this month.

Here is a reminder of some contenders:

Who deserves a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad?

England squad announcement: Latest updates

13:40 , Sarah Rendell

This is Gareth Southgate’s first squad of 2023 and after the World Cup many thought the manager may hang up his England waistcoat.

There were questions of whether the boss would stay on after England were beaten by France but he decided in December he would carry on.

He told ITV about his decision to stay on: “I’m in a job with the chance to make some history and I have the privilege of leading the national team.

“It’s been an unbelievable experience. I think we’ve made progress with the team across the years we’ve been in charge and I’m determined to try to drive the team that next step.

“We’re in a different landscape to any previous England team because of the success we’ve had. In our own minds, winning is probably the only thing that’s going to fulfil us.”

England squad announcement: Latest updates

13:30 , Sarah Rendell

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been asked about whether Ben White should be included in England’s team announcement this afternoon.

The defender has been included in Gareth Southgate’s teams of late. He was in the World Cup squa dbut had to withdraw for personal reasons.

Arteta replied to the question by saying: “As far as I’m concerned, he’s been in really good form, he’s been available for every single match and he’s been performing really well for us.”

We will find out in half an hour whether he has made the cut.

England squad announcement: Latest updates

13:20 , Sarah Rendell

Everton’s Conor Coady is set to miss out on the England squad this afternoon after losing his spot in his club team, The Daily Mail report.

Coady has been a part of Gareth Southgate’s teams but after falling out of favour at struggling Everton it seems as though the defender will not be included.

Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is thought to be taking a spot in his place.

England squad announcement: Latest updates

13:10 , Sarah Rendell

There has been a lot of talk about Solly March getting a chance in an England shirt and he could not have done more to prove himself ahead of the announcement.

The Brighton winger scored against Crystal Palace on Wednesday in their 1-0 win to boost their chances of European football next season.

It was March’s seventh goal this season and it has led to manager Roberto de Zerbi saying the stalwart deserves his spot for England.

Read about the match here:

Solly March has Brighton dreaming of Europe

England squad announcement: Latest updates

13:01 , Sarah Rendell

One selection question one everyone’s lips is will Gareth Southgate maintain his faith in Harry Maguire.

The Manchester United defender has spent most minutes this season on the bench for his club but Southgate picked and started him at the World Cup.

Maguire has not seen more minutes upon his return from Qatar and so many are questionning whether Southgate should pick him.

The player himself has been honest about his position at United this season. “I’m the club captain and I have a big responsibility on and off the pitch so it was nice to get ion and help the lads,” he said. “The manager has been asked numerous times about my role in interviews and he tells me honestly that he believes in me, but this is football.

“The lads who are playing and starting, Raphael is playing really well and we’ve seen the manager’s ideas, what he wants, and he does like a left-footed centre-back playing. So it’s high competition for places, but this is Manchester United. We want to win trophies, big trophies, and to do that you need competition.

“The manager speaks to me daily, he really respects me and believes that I’m a top centre-half with all the attributes to play in his team. But also he understands that the players who are playing – and I understand that the players who are playing – are playing very well.”

England squad announcement: Latest updates

12:50 , Sarah Rendell

The squad announcement is for England’s Euro qualifiers this month against Italy and Ukraine.

The team will compete against Italy on the 23 March and face Ukraine three days later. It will be the first time England have played since they lost to France in the World Cup in December.

Players like captain Harry Kane and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka are expected to make the cut but reports suggest Gareth Southgate could experiment in other areas.

The international break for the qualifiers is the last one in the calendar before the Premier League resumes for the end of the season.

England squad announcement: Latest updates

12:40 , Sarah Rendell

Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi has said he believes Solly March and Lewis Dunk deserve a spot in the England team.

March has never played for England and Dunk only has one cap.

“I think Solly should go in the national team,” De Zerbi said. “It is not my work and I respect the coach, but he deserves to go. Dunk to.

“I think he is a complete player. He can improve in scoring but I’m pleased for the performance of Solly.”

England squad announcement: Latest updates

12:31 , Sarah Rendell

There are always debates in the run-up to squad announcements of who deserves a spot. There are plenty of players giving Gareth Southgate a good problem with many England players in fine form at the moment.

We put together a list of some contenders for the Euro qualifiers and why they could find their way into the team.

Have a read of who could be on Southgate’s list:

Who deserves a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad?

England squad announcement: Latest updates

12:20 , Sarah Rendell

Everyone is waiting by their phones, laptops or other devices to get a glimpse of Gareth Southgate’s England team as soon as it drops.

We will bring you all the information as it comes but just so you can set alarms or be aware of when the all important announcement comes, the England manager will release the team at 2pm.

For all the info you need have a read of this:

What time does Gareth Southgate announce his England squad?

England squad announcement: Latest updates

12:11 , Sarah Rendell

Ivan Toney is available for selection despite admitting guilt for 262 breaches of the Football Association’s gambling rules and Brentford boss Thomas Frank believes his player deserves a call-up.

Toney has scored 16 Premier League goals this season, only four less than Harry Kane.

“I don’t expect anything from football,” Frank said. “It’s up to Gareth to pick the right squad. Ivan has done more than enough to be giving Gareth a headache in a positive way.

“If you look at pure goal scorers for England, he is the second-highest goal scorer behind (Harry) Kane. If you look at clear number nines, he should be thinking very much about calling him up.”

Read the full story:

Ivan Toney has done enough to be recognised for England selection – Thomas Frank

Latest updates as Gareth Southgate announces England squad

12:00 , Jamie Braidwood

Follow live updates as Gareth Southgate names his first England squad since the World Cup ahead of the start of the European Championship qualifiers later this month. Southgate decided to stay on as England manager following his team’s quarter-final exit to France in Qatar and is now ready to start another campaign for international silverware.

England begin their Euro 2024 qualifying journey with a tough trip to Italy on March 23, with Ukraine travelling to Wembley three days later. While Southgate is expected to stick with the majority of the squad he has worked with at the past two major tournaments, the England manager may have a surprise or two as the Three Lions begin their next cycle.

Among them, the in-form Ollie Watkins and Solly March are pushing for a place in Southgate’s squad, while a decision will have to be made over the selection of Ivan Toney. The Brentford forward was left out of the World Cup squad, and may miss out again as the Football Association disciplinary case for breaching betting rules hangs over him.