Marcus Rashford’s renaissance is set to continue with Thomas Tuchel ready to reward the on loan Aston Villa forward with a place in his first England squad.
Gareth Southgate’s successor will confirm the 23 players who will compete for places in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia on Friday lunchtime.
Rashford’s inclusion, after a 12-month absence from the international fold, represents a dramatic change in fortunes for the 27-year-old who departed Old Trafford in January having been frozen out by Ruben Amorim.
Jack Grealish, meanwhile, has not been included as a consequence of the Manchester City star’s lack of playing time under Pep Guardiola.
The former Villa star had featured prominently during Lee Carsley’s interim tenure but was forced to pull out of England most recent games in November due to injury.
City’s January transfer splurge has meant competition for places in the champions’ already star-studded attack has intensified and he has made just three substitute appearances for his club since the turn of the year.
Grealish’s place in the squad will be assumed by another Villa player in Morgan Rogers who has enjoyed a stunning campaign, thriving under the tutelage of Unai Emery.
Signed a year ago from Middlesbrough, who he joined, ironically, because of a lack of opportunities at City following the arrival at Grealish, Rogers has played a key role in Villa’s continued improvement under Emery.
Tuchel watched the 22-year-old score a hat-trick in Villa’s recent Champions League win over Celtic and he could be handed a chance to resume his club relationships with Rashford and Ollie Watkins on the international stage.
More to follow…
