Gomes, Livramento, Madueke and Gibbs-White in England squad

Lee Carsley has handed call-ups to Angel Gomes, Tino Livramento, Morgan Gibbs-White and Noni Madueke in his first squad since being named England interim manager.

Lille winger Gomes, Newcastle defender Livramento, Nottingham Forest midfielder Gibbs-White and Chelsea winger Madueke all played for Carsley during his time as England Under-21 manager.

Manchester City playmaker Jack Grealish, who was cut from England’s preliminary Euro 2024 squad, has been recalled as well as Manchester United defender Harry Maguire.

England take on the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on 7 September (17:00 BST) and Finland at Wembley on 10 September (19:45) in the Nations League.

Carsley was appointed to the role following Gareth Southgate’s resignation after Euro 2024.

Carsley puts trust in youth
Carsley, who played for the Republic of Ireland, spent three years as England’s Under-21s boss after his appointment in 2021.

Six members of Carsley’s first squad – Gomes, Madueke, Gibbs-White, Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon and Levi Colwill – won the Under-21 European Championship under him in 2023.

Gomes, 23, left Manchester United for Lille in 2020. At United, he had broken into the first team in 2017, aged 16 years 263 days, the youngest player to make his debut from the club since Duncan Edwards in 1953.

“Angel is very technical, he controls the game with his skill and his technique. He is very determined, has a great attitude and loves football,” Carsley said.

“I think he is a player people will be excited to see.”

Gomes was taken to hospital on 17 August after suffering a head injury in a Ligue 1 fixture against Reims. He later said he was “all good” after receiving treatment.

Gibbs-White, a regular under Carsley in the Under-21 set-up, has also been handed his first cap following his impressive start to Nottingham Forest’s Premier League campaign.

“Morgan is a very attacking player, full of energy, very creative, very exciting,” said Carsley.

“He has been really successful with England and I thought that was important.”

White, Toney and Walker left out
Arsenal defender Ben White, who earned the last of his four caps in March 2022, was again left out of the squad after making himself unavailable for selection.

“As far as I am aware, he [White] wasn’t available for selection and nothing has changed in my two weeks. That’s where we are at with it,” said Carsley.

Brentford striker Ivan Toney, Manchester City defender Kyle Walker and Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who all went to Euro 2024, have also been left out of the 26-man squad.

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham both miss out through injury, while United forward Marcus Rashford, Tottenham midfielder James Maddison and Crystal Palace youngster Adam Wharton failed to make the squad.

Newcastle United full-back Kieran Trippier, who played 54 times under Southgate, announced his retirement from international football on Thursday.

Carsley puts own stamp on squad – Analysis
Alex Howell, BBC Sport

In his first interview after taking the job as interim England head coach, Lee Carsley said he wanted to put his “own stamp” on the squad – and he’s definitely delivered on that.

As well as first call-ups for Tino Livramento, Angel Gomes, Morgan Gibbs-White and Noni Madueke – in a squad including five of those who won the Under-21 European Championship under Carsley in 2023 – he’s made big calls in leaving out Kyle Walker and bringing back in Harry Maguire.

Lille’s Gomes could have a big impact on how this England team play given the importance he had in the build-up play for Carsley’s Under-21 side.

Carsley said Gomes “controls games with his technique” and the centre of midfield has been a problem area for England – predecessor Gareth Southgate trialled Trent Alexander-Arnold in the position during Euro 2024.

Gomes could help the side dominate possession and control play and clips of him doing the role for the Young Lions went viral on social media last summer.

Elsewhere, there’s a recall for Manchester City forward Jack Grealish. Carsley agrees that Grealish could be coming in as one of the players who has a “point to prove”.

Carsley would not be drawn on whether he wants the job full-time but will be hoping that this group put in two good performances in the next two games to keep his name in the frame for the role.

Full England squad

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United)

Defenders: Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), John Stones (Manchester City), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Rico Lewis (Manchester City), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Harry Maguire (Manchester United)

Midfielders: Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Angel Gomes (Lille), Phil Foden (Manchester City)

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Chelsea) Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).