Squad announcements: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
England boss Southgate signs contract extension and hands first senior call-ups to Maddison, Sancho and Mount
It’s been a busy day for England head coach Gareth Southgate.
First it was announced that the Three Lions boss had signed a contract extension until 2022 and afterwards he named his squad for the Uefa Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain.
Southgate led England to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia and he has been rewarded with a contract extension until the next global tournament, in Qatar in four years’ time.
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“I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead the national team through the next two major tournaments,” said Southgate.
“The job remains an incredible privilege and a true honour. Experiencing at first-hand how the nation united behind the team this summer was something special and it will be great to see how far this young squad can go in the years to come.”
England squad news
In the Nations League next week England face Croatia on 12 October followed by a trip to Spain on 15 October.
Southgate has named a 25-man squad and included for the first time are James Maddison (Leicester City), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund) and Mason Mount (Derby County).
Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley returns to the squad for the first time since May 2016 and there are also recalls for Nathaniel Chalobah and Harry Winks. Raheem Sterling is selected after missing the September matches against Spain and Switzerland.
England squad
Wales squad news
Head coach Ryan Giggs has named a 25-man squad for the matches against Spain and the Republic of Ireland.
Real Madrid star Gareth Bale is included but Joe Ledley and Tom Lockyer are injured. Jazz Richards and George Thomas have been called up as replacements.
Wales play Spain in a friendly at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on 11 October followed by a Nations League clash in Dublin against the Irish on 16 October.
Wales squad
Scotland squad news
Alex McLeish’s Scotland side will be looking to make it two wins out of two in the Nations League when they play Israel in Haifa on 11 October.
Steven Naismith impressed in last month’s win against Albania and the Hearts forward is included in McLeish’s squad, which will again be captained by Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson. Defenders Scott McKenna and Jack Hendry return from injury.
Scotland also play European champions Portugal in a friendly at Hampden Park on 14 October. Goal.com reports that Cristiano Ronaldo will not play against the Scots or in Portugal’s Nations League match in Poland on 11 October.
Scotland squad
Northern Ireland squad news
Michael O’Neill has selected a 25-man squad for the Nations League matches against Austria (12 October) and Bosnia & Herzegovina (15 October).
Aaron Hughes returns and Tom Flanagan replaces veteran defender Gareth McAuley. Winger Gavin Whyte, 22, retains his place after being called up from the Under-21s last month. Conor Washington misses the double-header because of personal reasons.
Northern Ireland squad
Republic of Ireland squad news
Martin O’Neill has left Declan Rice out of his 32-man Republic of Ireland squad as the West Ham star decides on where his international future lies. Rice is considering a switch to play for England, the BBC reports.
Ireland play two Uefa Nations League matches in Dublin next week, against Denmark on 13 October and Wales on 16 October.
Republic of Ireland squad
- Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Colin Doyle (Hearts), Sean McDermott (Kristiansund BK)
- Defenders: Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Kevin Long (Burnley), John Egan, Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Darragh Lenihan, Derrick Williams (Blackburn Rovers), Greg Cunningham (Cardiff City)
- Midfielders: Alan Judge (Brentford), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Shaun Williams (Millwall), David Meyler (Reading), Harry Arter (Bournemouth, on loan at Cardiff City), Daryl Horgan (Hibernian), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City), Richie Towell (Brighton & Hove Albion, on loan at Rotherham United)
- Forwards: Shane Long (Southampton), Graham Burke, Callum Robinson, Sean Maguire (Preston North End), Aiden O'Brien (Millwall), Scott Hogan (Aston Villa), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth)
Spain squad news
Spain will be without striker Diego Costa for the matches against Wales and England. Atletico Madrid star Costa has a thigh injury and he is joined on the absentee list by Real Madrid duo Dani Carvajal and Isco.
Head coach Luis Enrique has recalled Marc Bartra (Real Betis), Koke (Atletico Madrid) and Paco Alcacer (Borussia Dortmund).
Spain travel to Cardiff for a friendly at the Principality Stadium on 11 October before hosting England at the Estadio Benito Villamarin in Seville on 15 October.
Spain squad
- Goalkeepers: David de Gea, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Pau Lopez
- Defenders: Cesar Azpilicueta, Raul Albiol, Nacho Fernandez, Sergio Ramos, Marc Bartra, Jonny Castro, Marcos Alonso, Jose Gaya
- Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Rodri, Koke, Saul Niguez, Thiago Alcantara, Dani Ceballos
- Forwards: Marco Asensio, Iago Aspas, Alvaro Morata, Suso, Rodrigo Moreno, Paco Alcacer
International football fixtures
Friendly matches (all times UK)
- Thursday 11 October: Wales vs. Spain (7.45pm)
- Sunday 14 October: Scotland vs. Portugal (5pm)
Uefa Nations League fixtures
- Thursday 11 October: Israel vs. Scotland (Group C1, 7.45pm)
- Friday 12 October: Croatia vs. England (Group A4, 7.45pm)
- Friday 12 October: Austria vs. Northern Ireland (Group B3, 7.45pm)
- Saturday 13 October: Republic of Ireland vs. Denmark (Group B4, 7.45pm)
- Monday 15 October: Spain vs. England (Group A4, 7.45pm)
- Monday 15 October: Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. Northern Ireland (Group B3, 7.45pm)
- Tuesday 16 October: Republic of Ireland vs. Wales (Group B4, 7.45pm)
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