Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze named in England squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers

Uncapped Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze has been called up for England's Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.

Brighton centre-half Lewis Dunk returns for the first time since making his debut against the United States in November 2018, while Sam Johnstone, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tyrone Mings and Callum Wilson have all been recalled by manager Gareth Southgate.

Southgate has named a 25-man squad, with Raheem Sterling the highest-profile absentee with the England manager revealing that the Chelsea attacker has been struggling with a hamstring problem and is unhappy with his current fitness levels.

For Euro 2024 qualifers away to Malta on June 16 and at home to North Macedonia on June 19:

Goalkeepers Johnstone, Pickford, Ramsdale. Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Dunk, Guehi, Maguire, Mings, Shaw, Stones, Trippier, Walker. Midfielders Bellingham, Eze, Gallagher, Henderson, Maddison, Phillips, Rice. Forwards Foden, Grealish, Kane, Rashford, Saka, Wilson.

Other players gone from the squad that helped kick-off England's qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win in Italy and 2-0 home victory over Ukraine are Nick Pope, Ben Chilwell, Eric Dier, Reece James, Mason Mount and Ivan Toney.

Eze has been in superb form for Palace since the arrival of former England manager Roy Hodgson in March and has scored six goals in his last eight games as the Eagles comfortably secured their top-flight status.

“We've liked him for a long time,” Southgate of the 24-year-old who has scored 10 goals in 37 Premier League games this season. “He was very unfortunate just before the Euros. We were going to call him into a prep camp and he got an injury.

“He has finished the season very strongly, he can play in a couple of positions