Jordan Pickford, Curtis Davies, Jason Puncheon and Troy Deeney would be given England debuts if players were picked on their performances this season
By Martin Laurence for WhoScored?, part of the Guardian Sport Network
Gareth Southgate didn’t want to be considered for the England job before the FA appointed Sam Allardyce, but this week he has spoken passionately about leading his country while the search for a new permanent manager takes place. The England U21 boss will be in charge for four games and has named his first squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia.
Southgate has gone for experienced players. He even picked Glen Johnston, whose last game for England was their defeat to Uruguay at the 2014 World Cup. Johnston has been ruled out through injury but Southgate seems to be aiming for continuity. The stand-in manager says he is reluctant to veer from the side that “did very well” against Slovakia and his first squad has a familiar feel to it, aside from the inclusion of Jesse Lingard.
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