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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Dan Kilpatrick

England squad: Chelsea duo Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling snubbed by Gareth Southgate

Cole Palmer has been overlooked for an England call-up, despite his impressive form for Chelsea.

The 21-year-old's club-mate Raheem Sterling does not earn a recall either, as Gareth Southgate continues to ignore his former favourite.

Palmer has made a quick impact since joining Chelsea from Manchester City in the summer, scoring three times in the top-flight and bagging four assists in total, but Southgate sticks with the tried and trusted names for the games against Malta and North Macedonia.

James Maddison is included in the squad, despite being forced off injured in Tottenham's defeat to Chelsea on Monday.

Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling have been left out of the England squad (REUTERS)

It is not yet clear if Maddison will be fit for Spurs' early kick-off at Wolves on Saturday after he was replaced following a blow to his ankle, but he is likely to be expected to report to St George's Park next week for assessment by England medical staff.

England have already qualified for next summer's European Championship in Germany, having beaten Italy at Wembley last month, but finish the qualifying cycle with a home game against Malta a week on Friday followed by a trip to North Macedonia.

Aaron Ramsdale keeps his place, despite his lack of game-time for Arsenal, while Bukayo Saka is thought to be fine despite hobbling off late in the Gunners' win over Sevilla on Wednesday.

Eddie Nketiah, handed his first England call-up earlier this season, is not involved in the squad, as Newcastle's Callum Wilson returns.

John Stones misses out through injury, after Pep Guardiola confirmed the centre-back would be “out for a while” after picking up another problem in Manchester City's Champions League win over Young Boys BSC on Tuesday.

England need six points from these two matches to guarantee they will be in Pot 1 in next month's Euros draw in Hamburg, though four points could be enough, depending on results elsewhere.

Hosts Germany are guaranteed to be one of the six top seeds, leaving only five other spots available, which are allocated by most points won in qualifying, rather than to the nations which top their groups.

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