Alexander-Arnold named in provisional squad for Euros

BEN White, Ben Godfrey and Aaron Ramsdale received their first England call-ups as Gareth Southgate selected Trent AlexanderArnold among four right-backs in his provisional European Championship squad.

With the Three Lions dealing with issues such as injuries and European final absentees, the Football Association confirmed a larger provisional squad would be announced yesterday rather than the definitive group.

Southgate has named a 33-man party which will be trimmed down to 26 players on June 1, allowing him to include injury doubts such as Harry Maguire, Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips.

There are first senior call-ups for Brighton centre-back White and Everton defender Godfrey, while Sheffield United goalkeeper Ramsdale joins uncapped Sam Johnstone in the squad as Nick Pope misses out through injury.

Manchester United teenager Mason Greenwood has been recalled for the first time since being sent home after his debut in Iceland.

Eric Dier misses out, but Alexander-Arnold returns to the group alongside fellow right-backs Reece James, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker. Bukayo Saka, Ollie Watkins and 17-year-old Jude Bellingham are among the others to get the nod.

Speaking about his decision to name a 33-man squad, Southgate explained: “I think our situation is more complicated than any other country at the moment.

“We have known for a while that we have, of this 33, 12 players still to play in European finals this week so we were always going to need some additional players for the first part of the camp.

“Add to that a number of injuries... so we felt that more time is going to help us make better decisions.”

Southgate admitted he had a difficult conversation with Dier to tell the Spurs defender he would miss out.

“He is a man who I have tremendous respect for and has been a key player in some of our biggest games and biggest moments,” he said.

“Unfortunately I just don’t think his season has been long enough to be in the squad and that is a difficult call because I know how much he brings to the whole group.

“When you are at a tournament, the players who put the team first are critical. It wasn’t an easy conversation but he is an outstanding professional and took the news in a professional way.”