Swansea striker Abraham, Crystal Palace midfielder Loftus-Cheek – both on loan from Chelsea – and Liverpool defender Gomez received their first senior call-ups for the Wembley double-header – but Daniel Sturridge, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Chris Smalling are among those to have missed out.

Southgate said: “If I’m asking club managers to be brave and pick young players, I think I’ve got to do the same.”

Manchester United’s Ashley Young, who last played for his country in September 2013, has been rewarded for his resurgent form with a call-up, while Tottenham full-back Danny Rose and Leicester striker Jamie Vardy return from injury.

On 32-year-old Young’s recall, Southgate said: “Generally speaking we want to look at younger players, and develop the team, but I’ve always said if a more senior player is playing well and warrants the call-up, we should include them.

“He’s a player every Manchester United manager has picked, and that tells me something about his mentality and the trust they have in him.”

Spurs midfielder Harry Winks was included after a fine debut in Lithuania, as was Manchester City’s Fabian Delph, but Arsenal pair Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott have missed out.

Defending the omission of Wilshere, despite his club manager Arsene Wenger having tipped the midfielder for a recall earlier this week, Southgate said: “I don’t know how you can get in an England squad without getting in an Arsenal team.

“I did have a conversation with Arsene about him on Saturday because he is a top player so for him it is just game-time.”

England play Germany on Friday, November 10, and welcome Brazil the following Tuesday.#############