Branthwaite and Gordon Receive First Senior Call-ups for England

Jarrad Branthwaite and Anthony Gordon have received their first senior call-ups for England’s international friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.

Marc Guehi, and Kieran Trippier are ruled out in defence due to respective knee and calf injuries, with the pair consequently replaced by Jarrad Branthwaite – who has received his first senior call-up – plus the returning Ben Chilwell, Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez and John Stones.

Levi Colwill, Rico Lewis and Fikayo Tomori have been dropped from the squad for this month’s friendlies.

Newcastle United forward, Anthony Gordon has also received his first senior call-up after delivering a series of impressive performances for the Magpies this season,

Trent Alexander-Arnold is ruled out of the midfield selection with a knee injury and has been replaced by Tottenham’s James Maddison, who has returned to form following his recovery from an ankle injury.

Kalvin Phillips meanwhile has been dropped due to a dip in form following his loan move to West Ham from Manchester City in January.

Up front, Jack Grealish is sidelined with a groin injury and has been replaced by Chelsea’s Cole Palmer who was previously named in the midfield selection back in November.

Ivan Toney meanwhile is back in the squad following his return to club football in January after an eight-month ban due to breaches of FA Betting Rules.

Here is England’s 25-man squad to face Brazil and Belgium on 23 & 26 March at Wembley Stadium.

Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defence: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfield: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur), Declan Rice (Arsenal)

Forward: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)