Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Manchester City’s Rico Lewis have earned first senior call-ups to the England squad for this month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Palmer had missed out on Gareth Southgate’s latest selection last week despite an impressive start to life at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Manchester City, instead being named in Lee Carsley’s Under-21 squad.
Lewis had also been picked by Carsley, with Southgate saying he was content to let the 18-year-old continue to develop.
But amid injuries to James Maddison, Jude Bellingham and Callum Wilson, both players have been handed a late chance to link up with the full squad.
England host Malta on November 17 and face North Macedonia on November 20.
Southgate’s side have already qualified for the tournament in Germany next summer after a 3-1 win against Italy in October.
Lewis has made 10 appearances so far this season in all competitions, with manager Pep Guardiola declaring last month that the City academy graduate was one of the best players he has coached.
Palmer has scored four goals and recorded two assists in 14 appearances, netting a late penalty that earned Chelsea a point in Sunday’s dramatic 4-4 draw against Manchester City.
(Photo: Getty Images)
