Nathaniel Clyne earned his first-ever call-up to the England national team on Thursday, as the Southampton right back was selected by manager Roy Hodgson.
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Arsenal left back Kieran Gibbs and Swansea midfielder Jonjo Shelvey both get recalls after lengthy absences away from the Three Lions. Hodgson’s side face San Marino (Oct. 9) and Estonia (Oct. 12) as their qualification campaign for the 2016 European Championships continues.
Clyne, 23, has long been touted for a call-up to the full national team after playing for the U-21. The attacking full back has scored stunning goals for Saints both away at Arsenal and Liverpool so far this season and he’s been an integral part of pushing Southampton up to second in the Premier League table. He is expected to push John Stones for a starting spot in the right back position, with both Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker still missing through injury.
Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge is not called-up due to injury, while Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney will get some valuable game-time with England after being suspended from the Premier League for the entire month of October after his red card against West Ham.
Elsewhere, Luke Shaw and Calum Chambers both find themselves in the U-21 squad with Gareth Southgate’s side facing a home and away playoff against Croatia to make the 2015 European Championships.
Shaw went to the World Cup with England and was the youngest player to take part as he started the final group game against Costa Rica. Chambers made his England debut last month after coming off the bench against Norway at Wembley. Joining them, once again, in the junior ranks is West Brom’s Saido Berahino.
England squad
Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Hart (Manchester City)
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), John Stones (Everton)
Midfielders: Fabian Delph (Aston Villa), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea City), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
Forwards: Rickie Lambert (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal)
