England squad: Eze, Dunk, Mings in as Southgate drops Dier and Sterling for Euro 2024 qualifiers

Eberechi Eze has been handed his first England call-up with Gareth Southgate also deciding to recall Lewis Dunk and Tyrone Mings.

Crystal Palace winger Eze has eight England Under-21 caps to his name but has never been called up by Southgate.

He has scored six in his last eight Premier League matches and could make his debut in one of the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.

Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dunk, Mings, Sam Johnstone, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford and Callum Wilson are among those to be brought back in.

Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling misses out and The Athletic correspondent David Ornstein has confirmed that the decision was made ‘mutually’ between himself and Southgate.

A representative for the 82-cap forward said: “Following a private conversation between coach and player, a mutual decision has been made for Raheem Sterling to sit out the upcoming internationals, focusing instead on recuperating his body in preparation for the upcoming season.”

Southgate also said: “I spoke with him a week or so ago – a general catch-up.

“He’s not happy physically with his condition, having been carrying a hamstring problem. He really wasn’t in consideration.

“We didn’t get to the point of whether he should be in or out. He doesn’t think he is operating at the level he needs.”

Another notable absentee is Eric Dier, whose form for Tottenham has seen him beaten to a place by Dunk and Mings, who have been solid for Brighton and Aston Villa, respectively.

Dunk has ended a four-and-a-half-year hiatus from the Three Lions squad having made his debut against the United States in November 2018.

Wilson had not been included in the England squad in March after going to the World Cup in Qatar, while Rashford and Shaw also missed out, but their absence was due to injury, not form.

Southgate said he was looking forward to working with Eze.

“He is a goal threat, he’s got nice ability and speed to go past people and can take people out of the game with his dribbling skills. We are looking forward to seeing him a bit closer.”

Southgate had no qualms about naming a strong squad when there might have been a temptation to allow some of his senior stars to have a rest.

He said: “We have played North Macedonia twice at home and never beaten them. To be a top team, if we want to be European champions, we have got to nail big games – like we did in March – and make sure we nail the complicated ones.

“It is a good test of commitment and togetherness. This group don’t want to let each other down. We want to keep progressing as a team.”

Southgate has been impressed by Alexander-Arnold, who has been playing in a more advanced position for Liverpool of late.

Southgate said: “He is a super footballer. He is obviously playing in a slightly different role which has invigorated him in the last few months.

“He has always been in advanced areas of the pitch with the ball. He is just a bit more central now.

“That’s interesting for us – no question. It’s something I’ve talked to him about and we’re looking forward to working with Trent.”

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Johnstone and playmaker Eze have enjoyed a brilliant spell under former England boss Roy Hodgson.

Johnstone replaces Newcastle United shot-stopper Nick Pope, who is absent after undergoing hand surgery.

Brentford striker Ivan Toney has not made the squad after being handed an eight-month ban for breaking the Football Association’s betting rules.

England kicked off Euro 2024 qualification with wins against Italy and Ukraine, with Group C continuing next month.

FULL 25-MAN SQUAD: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal); Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City); Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Maddison (Leicester), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham); Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City); Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Callum Wilson (Newcastle United).