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Reuters
Reuters
Sport

Southgate calls in four uncapped players for England

Soccer Football - England Squad Announcement & Gareth Southgate Press Conference - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - August 29, 2019 England manager Gareth Southgate during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - England manager Gareth Southgate has called up four uncapped players into his squad for September's Euro 2020 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Kosovo.

Manchester United right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, centre half Tyrone Mings of Aston Villa and midfielders James Maddison of Leicester City and Chelsea's Mason Mount all have a chance of making their debuts.

There are recalls to the squad for right-back Kieran Trippier, who recently moved from Tottenham Hotspur to Atletico Madrid, Spurs midfielder Harry Winks and Liverpool's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - International Champions Cup - Manchester United v Inter Milan - Singapore National Stadium, Singapore - July 20, 2019 Manchester United's Aaron Wan-Bissaka in action REUTERS/Feline Lim/File Photo

There is no place in the squad however for Manchester City full back Kyle Walker.

"We only have eight matches before I've got to name the squad for the European Championships. September is always a difficult squad to name because of the limited games at club level," Southgate said.

"Fitness and the importance of it has dictated some of the squad as has some of the exciting young players we want to look at and get involved."

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Championship Playoff Final - Aston Villa v Derby County - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - May 27, 2019 Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings gestures Action Images via Reuters/Ed Sykes/File Photo

Wan-Bissaka moved from Crystal Palace to United in the close season and Southgate said he has been impressed with how he has handled that switch.

"We tracked him all last year. He's adapted well and quickly to a high profile move. Playing in front of 70,000 fans brings an intensity and pressure," he said.

The recall for Oxlade-Chamberlain is somewhat surprising given he has only recently returned to full fitness after a lengthy injury absence.

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Sheffield United v Leicester City - Bramall Lane, Sheffield, Britain - August 24, 2019 Leicester City's James Maddison celebrates after the match Action Images via Reuters/Ed Sykes

"We're quite clear he would probably have been in our starting team at the World Cup," said the England boss.

"Hopefully we can play a part in getting him fully up to speed," he added.

Mount played in the second tier for Derby County last season after spending the previous year in the Netherlands with Vitesse Arnhem and has earned his call-up after just three games in the Premier League with Chelsea.

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Leicester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - August 18, 2019 Chelsea's Mason Mount celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Eddie Keogh EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details./File Photo

"Mason is in on merit. He looks like threatening the goal every time he plays. I’ve watched him since 16 playing through the various age groups," said Southgate.

"He's not in based on three games this season, he's in on the back after a successful year in the Eredivisie, a year at Derby and he’s improved at every level he’s played at."

Goalkeeper Jack Butland, who was back-up to first choice Jordan Pickford but who is struggling with Championship (second tier) Stoke City was left out with Burnley's Nick Pope recalled and Aston Villa's Tom Heaton also included.

England face Bulgaria at Wembley on Sept. 7 and Kosovo at Southampton's St Mary's stadium three days later.

(Reporting by Simon Evans; Editing by Christian Radnedge)

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