Lewis Hall is latest call-up to the England squad for the upcoming Nations League games against Greece and Republic of Ireland.
Lewis Hall and Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis have been called up to the England squad, and Lee Carsley has stuck with Jack Grealish even though the forward has missed the last five Manchester City squads due to injury.
Aaron Ramsdale has returned to the team, and Carsley has left out Grealish’s teammate John Stones and Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope as he gets ready for his final two games as interim manager before Thomas Tuchel takes over. Declan Rice is back after missing Wednesday’s match between Arsenal and Inter.
Kobbie Mainoo is out due to injury, but Curtis Jones, who was added to the squad late due to withdrawals, has made the cut and will hopefully earn his maiden cap. Although he had congratulated the German on his appointment and they had texted one other, Carsley claimed Tuchel had no say in the choice.
Carsley described Hall’s attempt to maintain a spot in the squad at left-back, where there are less options than at other positions, as a “good challenge.” Due to Luke Shaw’s injury, Carsley did not include a specialist left-back in his final squad.
Before making a permanent move last summer, Harwood-Bellis, who has been the captain of Carsley’s under-21 team, went through the City system and had a number of loan stints, including one at Southampton last season. Carsley first came into contact with the defender when managing City’s under-18 team.
Carsley, who will return to the under-21s, said he and his staff were “a lot better” for their time with the senior squad after being taken “right out of the comfort zone we are used to”. Reflecting on an experience he said he had enjoyed, he added: “It’s only natural to doubt whether you could do it or not. There’s definitely been moments when I’ve been driving the car where it’s sunk in that I’m England manager and the responsibility that goes with that. And it’s not something I take for granted.”
England plays Nations League games in Greece next Thursday and at home against the Republic of Ireland three days later. England’s defeat by Greece at Wembley Stadium has left them in second place in Group B2, with a promotion playoff spot at stake.