SAINTS captain James Ward-Prowse has retained his spot in the England squad for three upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Ward-Prowse, who has four caps, has not missed a minute of action for Saints this season.

And he will look to add to those senior appearances when England face San Marino, Albania and Poland later this month.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone have received their first senior England call-ups.

Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham has also been included, despite concerns over his availability.

Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate has named a 26-man squad for this month’s World Cup qualification triple header.

Leeds striker Patrick Bamford had been widely tipped for a call-up, but Southgate has turned to Watkins, having impressed since joining Villa from Brentford in the summer.

Johnstone, who has shone for the embattled Baggies this season, gets his maiden call-up following an injury to England number one Jordan Pickford.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is conspicuous by absence from a squad that sees Luke Shaw, John Stones and Jesse Lingard return after long absences.

Dortmund teenager Bellingham’s inclusion is interesting given the Football Association had expected regional coronavirus travel restrictions in Germany to rule him out. Club team-mate Jadon Sancho misses out through injury, while Jack Grealish, James Maddison, Danny Ings and Tammy Abraham are not included having been dealing with issues of their own.

England squad: D Henderson, Johnstone, Pope; Chilwell, Coady, Dier, James, Maguire, Mings, Shaw, Stones, Trippier, Walker; Bellingham, Foden, Lingard, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse; Calvert-Lewin, Kane, Rashford, Saka, Sterling, Watkins.