Chronicle Editor
England interim manager, Lee Carsley, has handed first call-ups to Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Newcastle United full-back Lewis Hall, for this month’s Nations League fixtures.
The Three Lions face Greece on November 14 and Republic of Ireland on November 17. It is Carsley’s final England squad as interim manager before Thomas Tuchel takes charge on a full-time basis in January 2025.
“He(Tuchel) hasn’t had any influence on the squad selection,” said Carsley.
“I congratulated him via text. He is highly respectful of the job I am doing. I see this as a massive privilege, the trust the FA has placed in me and my team.”
Harwood-Bellis, 22, joined Southampton on a permanent basis in July after helping the Saints to promotion during a season-long loan move from Manchester City in the 2023-24 season.
He has made 13 appearances for Russell Martin’s side this season, scoring three times. Hall, 20, joined Newcastle in a £28m deal from Chelsea in July after spending the previous campaign on loan in the north east of England.
The left-back has appeared in all 10 of Newcastle’s Premier League matches this season, starting seven.
“They’re both players who have played a lot of minutes this season and have shown they can consistently play in the Premier League at a high level,” said Carsley.
“Players that I both know really well. I’ve known Taylor from Man City and captaining the Under-21s, having a successful summer with promotion and playing in the Premier League week in and week out, he’s a player that really deserves it.
“He’s an outstanding captain and a brilliant example to the rest of the players in the under-21s squad.
“Lewis is a player who’s taken his time to settle in – he’s high quality, left-footed and a player who deserves to be in and has shown he can be really consistent.”
Liverpool midfielder, Curtis Jones, has earned a call-up after he pulled out of October’s squad for the birth of his child.
The 23-year-old, who won the European Under-21 Championship under Carsley in 2023, is yet to make his debut for the national side.—BBC Sport.
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