Reserves set to play as Gray and Chilwell are called in

BEN CHILWELL and Demarai Gray have been given an opportunity to fulfil their dreams after they were promoted to England’s senior squad last night. The Leicester City pair were withdrawn from the Under 21 squad bound for Latvia to give Gareth Southgate some depth to a group that has been hit by injuries for tomorrow’s meeting with Switzerland. England are expected to name a much-changed team for the friendly. Southgate does not want to overburden his players at this stage. However, Harry Kane is set to lead the side and John Stones should also keep his place in a team that could include nine changes. Fabian Delph, Ruben LoftusCheek, Eric Dier and Danny Welbeck are among those set to play. Trent AlexanderArnold, Kyle Walker, James Tarkowski and Danny Rose are expected to join them, with Jack Butland in goal. That will leave 21-year-old Chilwell and Gray, 22, hoping to make their debuts from the bench. Left back Chilwell has started the season in excellent form and he will cover the loss of Luke Shaw. Shaw was left concussed following a clash of heads with Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Spain and will almost certainly miss Manchester United’s match against Watford next week with concussion. The Premier League has strict guidelines and he will not be able to train until receiving clearance. Shaw stayed at St George’s Park yesterday but was expected to report back to United’s medical team at Carrington today. His absence, though, provides an opening that Chilwell is desperate to seize. ‘I have been at Leicester since I was 12 and to play for England at the King Power Stadium is obviously going to be my dream,’ Chilwell said. For Gray, meanwhile, this represents a case of mission finally accomplished. He has spent much of the last 12 months smarting after seeing a succession of his Under 21 colleagues, such as Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke, get calls from Southgate. But the winger, who was excellent in the 0-0 draw with Holland last Thursday, now has the chance he has craved. He will give pace to an attack that has been short of options without Raheem Sterling. Meanwhile, England centre back Harry Maguire, 25, has signed a new five-year deal at Leicester. He was strongly linked with Manchester United in the summer, though Leicester vowed to reject any bids for him.