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Fabian Delph & Fraser Forster recalled to England squad

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments339

Fabian Delph (centre)
Fabian Delph (centre) scored a brilliant goal against Crystal Palace this month

Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph and Southampton keeper Fraser Forster have been recalled for England's final two World Cup qualifiers in October.

Forster replaces Burnley's injured keeper Tom Heaton, while Leicester striker Jamie Vardy is also injured.

England host Slovenia at Wembley on Thursday, 5 October and then take on Lithuania in Vilnius three days later.

Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli is also included despite England not hearing from Fifa over a potential suspension.

England coach Gareth Southgate said: "We run the risk of being a shambles because he might have to be withdrawn. We hope common sense prevails."

Meanwhile, Southgate said Delph was recalled in order to increase the competition for a place in the midfield.

"He was very important for a period under [former manager] Roy Hodgson and he has had injury issues," said the former Middlesbrough manager.

"He has forced himself back into the Manchester City side and played well. We have a situation in midfield where we need more competition and more alternative. He can provide that."

The England boss also explained that Foxes forward Vardy was left out because he was playing in pain.

He said: "It's not ideal from our point of view. We have a very high level of injuries but we have still got some good quality in that squad."

England squad

Joe Hart, Fraser Forster, Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford; Ryan Bertrand, Aaron Cresswell, Gary Cahill , Phil Jones, Harry Maguire, John Stones, Michael Keane, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier; Eric Dier, Fabian Delph, Jake Livermore, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jesse Lingard, Dele Alli; Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane, Jermain Defoe, Daniel Sturridge.

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339 comments

  • Comment posted by D1679516480678, at 14:43 28 Sep 2017

    It's a joke to select Delph when he doesn't play for City. We have great youngsters who have performed admirably at recent tournaments but they are snubbed for a guy who has barely played in years. Sounthgate sucks!

  • Comment posted by Peter, at 14:49 28 Sep 2017

    Worst squad, team and management in my memory. Hart, Livermore, Henderson, Delph, lingard and others shouldn’t be anywhere near England.

  • Comment posted by John Prescott , at 14:41 28 Sep 2017

    4 goalkeepers? Just drop hart for the of god. Hardly an inspiring midfield a much better attack, just about capable of toppling nations ranked 50th and below.

    I shall not be deluding myself into thinking we can win the world cup next year

  • Comment posted by iamthebatman, at 14:43 28 Sep 2017

    I actually think Delph is quite a handy player but there is no justification for selecting him in our last round of competitive games before a major tournament considering his lack of games over the last 2 years

  • Comment posted by Spurtle, at 15:03 28 Sep 2017

    Gareth Hodgegate gets more uninspiring with each international break.

    How can you justify having 4 goalkeepers but constantly keep picking the one in the worst form?

    Delph going straight back in after his 8th game in a year. Even Wilshere's played more than that.

    We don't have the best options available in midfield but there are better choices than Livermore. Winks being one example.

  • Comment posted by oli king, at 14:46 28 Sep 2017

    Southgate was going to be the man who reformed the England squad and a year on here we are. Gonna win the world
    Cup with Hart and Delph. Unless we face a brilliant team like Iceland.

  • Comment posted by chris-political-mind, at 14:40 28 Sep 2017

    Seems that no matter how poor Hart plays, he gets the nod over better form players.
    Forster has been playing very well and has arguably been the best English keeper in recent seasons - only for the big club player to keep getting the game time.
    As for the rest of the squad, aside from a goal last week in a rout, what has Delph done to merit his place exactly? Simple. Big club.

  • Comment posted by CR14, at 14:47 28 Sep 2017

    That Southgate can't find better options than Lingard, Livermore, Oxlade-Chamberlain speaks volumes for why we'll struggle at a tournament. Three bang average players, who along with Hart, Keane, Defoe and Sturridge are hardly in any decent sort of form. If Delph has been picked based on his position for City, do we need three left backs? Hardly inspires confidence in the side going forward!

  • Comment posted by J Gould, at 14:50 28 Sep 2017

    Our midfield without Lallana is boring and has no creativity. also stop comparing Kane to Messi and Ronaldo please!!

  • Comment posted by kafka12, at 14:43 28 Sep 2017

    Finally England selection demonstrates the contribution of Arsen Wenger to team England. Currently no Arsenal player is good enough to be included in the team.

  • Comment posted by Falcon8r, at 14:43 28 Sep 2017

    "We run the risk of being a shambles"

    No way, the FA always comes across as such a well run organisation(!)

  • Comment posted by Quantum Mechanic, at 15:08 28 Sep 2017

    When will England managers understand that picking favourites regardless of form will not bring success. What have Hart, Livermore, Henderson and Ox-Cham done to justify any optimism of future success. Southgate will inevitably go the same way as Hodgson next year when said players don't perform in the big games. It's just Groundhog Day every day 2014 to 2018.

  • Comment posted by XTStevie1872, at 14:44 28 Sep 2017

    Usual suspects in who havent had a good game all season & just as well it's an easy group we're in with Scoatlund in it ?

    Easily the worse England squad & team ever.......

  • Comment posted by Gary, at 14:57 28 Sep 2017

    Does anyone remember when, watching England (Home Internationals and the like) we got to see the best players in the (old) Division One. Now it's a bunch of poor to average journeymen who are managed by a... poor to average journeyman! Southgate really is NOT the answer.. It's no wonder most fans aren't turned on by international games.

  • Comment posted by rob, at 15:11 28 Sep 2017

    I would have liked to see Newcastle's Lascelles giving a call up, clearly entrusted by a very knowledgeable Rafa Benitez and at just 23yrs already looking a Captain with an old head on young shoulders, has done a very good job and part of a back line that has only conceeded 4 goals in 6 games whilst also being an obvious threat from set pieces? As for Delph call up? Not justified for me but....

  • Comment posted by User0463985174, at 16:03 28 Sep 2017

    "We run the risk of being a shambles ".....hate to tell you this but you already are a shambles as a manager

  • Comment posted by 80GGG80, at 15:05 28 Sep 2017

    Whilst I have to agree that Hart should not be in the squad, as a Southampton season ticket holder, take of Forster being the best English goalkeeper is nonesense. He has been poor for at least a year!

  • Comment posted by CanaryJP, at 15:02 28 Sep 2017

    If Livermore and Delph are in the squad I expect my call from Southgate as soon as Ali gets banned

  • Comment posted by BaggiosPonytail, at 14:50 28 Sep 2017

    It would be nice to see a couple of new faces get a chance. How about Lascelles? Playing well for Newcastle and has leadership potential.

  • Comment posted by lillywhite , at 14:56 28 Sep 2017

    I'm underwhelmed...Delph, Henderson, Livermore and its goes on...unbelievable

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