Jarrad Branthwaite and Anthony Gordon receive first England call-ups for Brazil and Belgium friendlies, with Ivan Toney and Joe Gomez back in… but Kalvin Phillips is dropped by Gareth Southgate

Everton‘s Jarrad Branthwaite and Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon have received their first England call-ups. 

The pair have been rewarded for excellent form this season and will hope to win their first caps when England play Brazil and Belgium in friendlies later this month.  

Kalvin Phillips has been left out the latest squad in a worrying blow to the midfielder’s Euro 2024 hopes – but striker Ivan Toney has won a recall.

Phillips has been a stalwart during Gareth Southgate‘s tenure but has struggled for form and fitness during a loan spell at West Ham in recent months.

Brentford striker Toney returned to action in January following his betting ban and a return of four goals in nine outings has earned him a call up.

Gareth Southgate has named his England squad for the friendlies against Brazil and Belgium

Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has been called up for the first time to the senior squad

Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon has also been called up for the games with Brazil and Belgium

West Ham’s on-loan midfielder Kalvin Phillips has struggled for minutes this season and Southgate (left) has left him out his side in response

The Three Lions continue their build-up to Euro 2024 in Germany this summer when they face friendlies against Brazil on March 23 and Belgium on March 26 – both at Wembley. 

They represent the final chance to impress before Southgate makes his squad selection for the Euros.  

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has also earned a recall as Southgate confirmed his squad on Thursday afternoon, with Chelsea’s Cole Palmer also in.

Uncapped Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa has also been named in the 25-man squad. Raheem Sterling was overlooked once again in a blow to his Euro chances.

Manchester City’s Jack Grealish misses out on the latest squad through injury but Manchester United defender Harry Maguire is included despite recent fitness issues. 

Explaining his decision to leave Phillips out the squad, Southgate said: ‘I think he knows exactly what we think of him, a good version of him is an important player for us. We don’t have many players of that profile.

‘Unfortunately, his form just hasn’t been good enough. I’ve spoken to him, he knows that. I said to him towards the end of last year, if he didn’t play at City, it was going to be a problem.’

Ivan Toney, meanwhile, has earned a recall after returning to action from his betting ban

Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa will also be hoping to win his first senior cap for England

On why Branthwaite, 21, has been selected, the Three Lions boss added: ‘He’s played consistently well.

‘His development, we watched him as a back-up centre half for the under-21s. If you said a year ago he would consistently play in the Premier League, I would’ve been surprised.

‘Credit to [Everton manager] Sean Dyche. He’s in on merit, he’s left-footed and we’re looking forward to having a look at him.’

Southgate explained that Arsenal defender Ben White has told him he doesn’t want to be considered for England squads at the moment.

White left England’s World Cup camp in Qatar in 2022 for ‘personal reasons’.

‘We had a call from [Arsenal’s sporting director] Edu last week saying Ben didn’t want to be considered for England squads at the moment,’ he said.

Southgate explained that Arsenal’s Ben White didn’t wish to be considered for a call-up

‘I spoke to him post-Qatar and there was reticence from his side. I don’t know why that is, but I respect that. I leave the door open because he’s a good player.

‘There is no issue between us at all and there’s also no issue with [assistant manager] Steve Holland, which has been mentioned in articles and I don’t like that.

‘I have to accept things are false about me, but I’m not prepared for that to happen to my coaching team. That is not the reason Ben is not with us.’