da supremo： According to reports in the Daily Telegraph, England manager Gareth Southgate could name an extra large Three Lions squad ahead of their matches against Germany and Lithuania later this month, meaning uncapped Southampton duo Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse could get the call.
What’s the story, then?
da brdice： Well, Southgate was due to reveal his squad for the friendly against Germany and World Cup qualifier against Lithuania on Thursday, but he has been hit by a number of withdrawals and fitness worries.
For example, Tottenham Hotspur duo Harry Kane and Danny Rose will miss out – the former suffered an ankle injury against Millwall on Sunday – and so will Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge.
There are also doubts over captain Wayne Rooney – who missed the his side’s FA Cup defeat to Chelsea on Monday night – and Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
With a call-up for Jack Wilshere also unlikely after the Bournemouth loanee started the Cherries’ last two games from the substitutes’ bench, it might have opened the door for Redmond and Ward-Prowse.
Would they deserve the call?
In a word, yes.
Ward-Prowse has shown how highly he is thought of in the England setup by the fact that he is captain of the Under-21 side, and similarly Redmond has impressed at the same level.
However, it is their performances in recent weeks that would have particularly impressed Southgate, with the duo both impressing in the EFL Cup final, and Redmond scoring two impressive goals in Southampton’s 4-3 win at Watford last time out.
Are they likely to get it?
Depending on who is fit – and whether Wilshere gets the call or not as he could be in direct competition with Ward-Prowse – then yes.
Redmond is perhaps more likely with few options available in wide areas though.