JU WHAT? Fikayo Tomori handed shock England recall with Jude Bellingham OUT as Southgate names squad for World Cup qualifiers

FIKAYO TOMORI has been recalled to Gareth Southgate's England squad for the upcoming matches against Andorra and Hungary.

Posted Friday, October 01, 2021 by Thesun.co.uk

But there's no place for teenage sensations Mason Greenwood or Jude Bellingham.

JU WHAT? Fikayo Tomori handed shock England recall with Jude Bellingham OUT as Southgate names squad for World Cup qualifiers
Fikayo Tomori has earned one England cap to date Credit: Rex Features

JU WHAT? Fikayo Tomori handed shock England recall with Jude Bellingham OUT as Southgate names squad for World Cup qualifiers

AC Milan star Tomori, 23, earned his first England cap against Kosovo back in 2019.

But his six minute cameo that night remains the former Chelsea defender's only action for the Three Lions - having not been called up at all in 2020.

On his inclusion, Southgate said: "I thought Tomori finished last season well and started well. He plays for a club where this is an expectation to win every week so there is pressure.

"He played well against Liverpool and the game with Juventus so has had big matches. I like Fikayo in terms of his aggressive defending.

"Because of his speed he can defend on the front foot. Milan have been delighted with him and ended up buying him."

Bellingham and Greenwood miss out, despite their excellent starts to the season.

JU WHAT? Fikayo Tomori handed shock England recall with Jude Bellingham OUT as Southgate names squad for World Cup qualifiers
Gareth Southgate has named his latest squad. Credit: PA

On their respective circumstances, Southgate explained: "They don’t come as a pair but they are in similar situations.

"They are young players with a heavy load. I have spoken to both players. Jude has had a high level of matches. He is playing Champions League, Bundesliga.

"We have to remember these lads are still physically growing. We think they can be exciting players for the future but we don’t want to overload them.

"I can understand why people may raise their eyes."

Another to miss out is Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is suffering with an abductor issue.

JU WHAT? Fikayo Tomori handed shock England recall with Jude Bellingham OUT as Southgate names squad for World Cup qualifiers
Jude Bellingham has had a high workload at Borussia Dortmund Credit: EPA

JU WHAT? Fikayo Tomori handed shock England recall with Jude Bellingham OUT as Southgate names squad for World Cup qualifiers
There's no place for Man Utd star Mason Greenwood Credit: Getty

But Chelsea star Mason Mount has been deemed fit enough to be included, despite having missed the Blues' last three games.

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins returns upfront in place of Patrick Bamford, with Southgate revealing: "We would have selected Ollie last month and was injured.

"He was close to making the squad for the Euros. He is still close to getting back to full fitness. I love his mentality."

The Three Lions travel to Andorra on October 9 before hosting Hungary three days later.

Southgate's men are currently sitting pretty at the top of Group I, with five wins and a draw from six games.

The England boss will hope that skipper Harry Kane brings his Three Lions form into the camp, rather than his Spurs performances, having scored seven goals in his last eight internationals.

JU WHAT? Fikayo Tomori handed shock England recall with Jude Bellingham OUT as Southgate names squad for World Cup qualifiers
Ollie Watkins is back in the fold Credit: PA