SAINTS skipper James Ward-Prowse has been selected for England’s Nations League clashes against Italy and Germany later this month – but there is no place in the group for full-back Kyle Walker-Peters.

Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate had named a 28-man squad for the upcoming fixtures – England’s final games before naming their squad for the World Cup in Qatar.

Ward-Prowse could have the opportunity to add to his 11 senior England caps when Southgate’s side visit Italy on Friday, September 23.

He could also come up against team-mate Armel Bella-Kotchap, when Germany head to Wembley on Monday, September 26.

Southgate has named an expanded squad for England’s challenging September double-header, with Brentford sharpshooter Ivan Toney the headline inclusion.

The 26-year-old has never represented his county at any level and went on a myriad of loans before impressing at Peterborough and shining for the Bees.

Toney has scored five goals in Brentford’s first six matches of the Premier League season – the same tally as England captain Harry Kane, whose Tottenham team-mate Eric Dier has been recalled.

The 28-year-old last won the last of his 45 caps in November 2020 and returns to the fold, as does Ben Chilwell for the first time since suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury last November.

Fellow left-back Luke Shaw is also in the squad despite only playing two matches for Manchester United this season and dealing with a foot complaint.

Harry Maguire was also dropped to the bench by Erik ten Hag after defeats in the opening two games but the under-fire defender has been named in the England squad.

But United team-mates Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford are again omitted – the former is dealing with a muscle injury but the former is eye-catching given his impressive start to the campaign.

Dean Henderson – on loan at Nottingham Forest from United – returns to the fold following number one Jordan Pickford’s injury, while Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is out with a hamstring issue.

Euro 2020 star Kalvin Phillips is included despite concerns over a lack of playing time being compounded at Manchester City by a shoulder issue.

James Justin, Ben White and Conor Gallagher dropped out of the group that featured in June, while Tyrone Mings and Ollie Watkins are among those overlooked again.

ENGLAND SQUAD IN FULL

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Nottingham Forest, loan from Manchester United), Nick Pope (Newcastle United), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Everton, loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham United), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)

Forwards: Tammy Abraham (AS Roma), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Ivan Toney (Brentford)

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