John Stones named in England squad despite two-month absence from Man City

John Stones has been named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for this month’s internationals despite not playing for nearly two months.

The defender was back in training this week and was named on the bench in City’s 3-1 Champions League win over RB Leipzig on Tuesday. However, he has not featured in action since the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal back on August 6.

A hip injury has prevented Stones from playing any of City’s subsequent games this season but Southgate has called him up for the forthcoming friendly with Australia and the Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy, both of which are on home soil.

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Meanwhile, Jack Grealish has been named in the squad. The winger pulled out of last month’s England fixtures with a thigh injury but has since played 175 minutes following his recovery, including 72 minutes in Germany this week.

Phil Foden, scorer of the opening goal against Leipzig, has made the cut having netted against Scotland in the 3-1 friendly win over Scotland at Hampden Park last time out.

Kyle Walker had scored his first England goal in a 1-1 draw with Ukraine in a Euros qualifier a few days earlier before grabbing the assist for Foden’s opener in Scotland. He unsurprisingly makes the England squad where he will hope to build on his 78 caps.

Kalvin Phillips completes the City contingent, despite his limited game time. The midfielder was expected to deputise in Rodri’s absence amid the Spaniard’s domestic ban but has only started the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle in the League Cup. The 27-year-old came on for 25 minutes in Saturday’s defeat to Wolves and stayed on the bench in the win over Leipzig,