LONDON: England manager Gareth Southgate has named Alfie Mawson, Nick Pope, James Tarkowski and Lewis Cook in his squad for next week’s pre-World Cup friendlies.

England take on Holland on Friday March 23 and Italy on Tuesday March 27 and Southgate has decided to test out four newcomers in his 27-man squad.

Jack Wilshere is also back in the squad as expected – he’s not played for his country since England’s woeful Euro 2016 defeat against Iceland, while Danny Welbeck and Adam Lallana make the squad after returning from injuries.

Defenders Chris Smalling, Gary Cahill and Michael Keane have all been left out of the England squad, suggesting their prospects for making the finals in Russia are bleak – a particular blow for Chelsea’s Cahill.

Burnley duo Pope and Tarkowski have been rewarded for their team’s fantastic Premier League season by being handed places in the squad – Pope has stepped in for Tom Heaton who has been out with injury and has performed excellently in his absence.

Bournemouth midfielder Cook gets his second spot in the England squad as he also received a late call-up before the 0-0 draw with Brazil in November.

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