Everton defender Michael Keane replaces Alli in England squad

Everton defender Michael Keane has been called into the England squad for the friendlies against Germany and Brazil.

Keane replaces Dele Alli in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the two matches at Wembley after the Tottenham midfielder missed the 1-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday with a hamstring injury.

Alli’s Spurs team-mates Harry Kane and Harry Winks were both substituted in that game and face fitness tests ahead of the clash with Germany on Friday.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill is also doubtful but midfielder Jordan Henderson is due to join up with the squad later this week despite missing Liverpool’s victory over West Ham on Saturday.

Keane was originally overlooked by Southgate after struggling with form and fitness following his £30 million move to Everton from Burnley in the summer.

Only West Ham have conceded more goals than the Toffees in the Premier League this season but Keane’s return from a leg infection on Sunday did help them to an astonishing 3-2 victory over Watford, having trailed 2-0 midway through the second half.

The 24-year-old centre-back made his England debut in a friendly against Germany in March and has gone on to win three more caps under Southgate whom he played for in the under-21s.