Raheem Sterling has been left out of the England squad for next month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia after holding talks about his physical condition with Gareth Southgate.
Sterling has struggled on and off the pitch since joining Chelsea last summer and the decision has been taken for him to use the international break as a chance to rest before pre-season.
Southgate held an honest conversation with the winger and a mutual decision was taken for the 28-year-old to miss the games against Malta and North Macedonia.
There is a first call-up for Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze as reward for a fine end to the season. Eze, who is also eligible to play for Nigeria, has sparkled in midfield for Palace and has long been on Southgate’s radar.