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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Simon Bajkowski

Why Man City pair John Stones and Kyle Walker are not in England squad

Raheem Sterling is the only Manchester City player to make the latest England squad.

Gareth Southgate took four Blues to the World Cup and also has seen Phil Foden shine for the Under-21s but will make do with just Sterling for upcoming qualifiers against Bulgaria and Kosovo in September.

John Stones has been left out after suffering an injury at the start of the season. He played well on the opening weekend at West Ham but did not play against Tottenham or Bournemouth and only returned to training this week with a return against Brighton uncertain.

Kyle Walker, meanwhile, has been left out of the squad despite an excellent beginning to the campaign under Pep Guardiola with United new boy Aaron Wan-Bissaka included instead. Southgate confirmed he had spoken to Walker as he explained his reasoning in a press conference to announce the squad.

"We tracked [Wan-Bissaka] all last year and thought he had an outstanding season last season, but he should stay with the Under-21 group," he said.

"He's adapted very well to a high profile move with the intensity and pressure and we are really looking at him and Trent (Alexander-Arndold).

"We also want to reintegrate Kieran Trippier to know he is still on our radar. It's an area of the pitch where we have a lot of quality. Kyle started the season really well so I explained the situation to him. They all have different strengths."

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