England squad announcement LIVE: Gareth Southgate snubs Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer and plays it safe with Euro 2024 qualifiers selection

Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest news and updates as Gareth Southgate unveils his England squad to take on Malta and North Macedonia in their final Euro 2024 qualifiers.

Southgate: 'VAR is taking enjoyment out of football'

Asked what he made of the VAR interruptions during Chelsea’s 4-1 win over Spurs on Monday night, Southgate says he felt bored watching the game.

‘I was bored watching. I was at the game. It just kept stopping. Nevermind the players, what about the fans? The flipside to that, all the decisions were right in the end.

‘But it [VAR] is sucking the life out of the enjoyment of goals.’

Southgate: 'It's great to see Harry Maguire doing well'

Harry Maguire has retained his place in the England squad after regaining his spot at Manchester United.

Southgate has been one of the most vocal supporters of the centre-back and is pleased to have seen his faith in the former Leicester defender vindicated.

‘It’s great. You want your players to be enjoying their club football and I’m really pleased for him,’ he says.

Southgate: 'We're really happy with Marcus Rashford'

Southgate is asked about Marcus Rashford, who has scored just once for Manchester United this season and was sent off in the 4-3 defeat against Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

‘We are really happy with him, he scores goals and he enjoys his football with us. For me there’s nothing to discuss,’ he says.

Asked about Erik ten Hag’s criticism of Rashford after the striker was pictured partying following the 3-0 defeat in the Manchester derby, Southgate offers a straight bat.

‘What happens at his club, has nothing to do with me.’

Southgate: 'Not many players can play Kalvin Phillips' role'

Kalvin Phillips has retained his spot in the England squad, despite having limited opportunities at Manchester City. Southgate admits he would like to see the midfielder feature more often, but concedes he faces world class competition at the Etihad.

For any player who’s not playing football, it’s about their career. [Playing for] England is a consequence of club football.’

‘We know the quality of his play, he was in the team of the tournament at Euro 2020. We know he can play at this level and has continued to do a good job for us.

‘We’d like him to be in a better rhythm, but that’s not the case at the moment. At the same time, not many players can play in his position.’

Southgate: 'Wilson and Watkins are ahead of Nketiah'

Eddie Nketiah has missed out for selection after making his debut against Australia, and Southgate hints the Arsenal forward would have been in contention had he been fit.

However, he feels Callum Wilson and Ollie Watkins are currently ahead of him in the pecking order.

‘There is competition at the moment. We see Callum [Wilson] and Ollie [Watkins] slightly ahead of him, but he’s progressing well.’

Gareth Southgate: 'The door remains open for Sterling'

Gareth Southgate’s press conference has began and the first question, predictably, is about Raheem Sterling who has missed out on five England squads now.

Southgate maintains the door remains open for the Chelsea forward, but insists it would have been difficult to leave out any of the forwards he’s picked.

‘The door is 100 percent open,’ he says.

‘There is no doubt about that. In terms of his quality and personality. He is crucial part of the journey we have had.

‘The team are playing well, they were exceptional against Italy. So who do we leave out? It is as simple as that.

‘We have stuck with that group, and deliberately not made changes. It is fair to the guys in the squad.’

The England squad in full

Raheem Sterling misses out again, but Harry Maguire and Kalvin Phillips both keep their places as does Jordan Henderson. Marcus Rashford gets the nod despite an underwhelming season for Manchester United

Here’s Gareth Southgate squad in full.

Goalkeepers:Sam Johnstone, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale

Defenders: Levi Colwill, Lewis Dunk, Marc Guehi, Harry Maguire, Fikauo Tomori, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker

Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Jasck Grealish, Harry Kane, James Maddison, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Ollie Watkins, Callum Wilson

Any new faces for England?

Which players could Gareth Southgate turn to if he were to name some new faces into his team?

Cole Palmer has impressed for Chelsea since joining from Manchester City in the summer, but is yet to win his first England cap.

The same applies to Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, a key member of Unai Emery’s back four, and Curtis Jones, who has been playing regularly for Liverpool.

Eberechi Eze has won just two caps but could add to his tally after returning from injury and Eddie Nketiah will be hoping to do the same after making his debut in the win over Australia last month.

Will Gareth Southgate recall Raheem Sterling?

Raheem Sterling’s name is sure to be one that will be closely monitored during the squad announcement.

The Chelsea forward missed out on selection from the England squad to face Australia and Italy last month. That came after Southgate’s admitted that Sterling was 'not happy' to be left out of the previous camp in September.

The 28-year-old, who has 82 England caps and 20 goals for his country, has vowed to fight to get his place back before Euro 2024.

Can Harry Kane keep up his form for England?

One player who’s guaranteed to make the England squad is Harry Kane, who has hit the ground running at Bayern Munich.

The England striker scored both goals in Bayern’s 2-1 win over Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday and now has 19 goals in 15 games.

Who has qualified for Euro 2024?

England aren’t the only team to have already qualified for Euro 2024.

Gareth Southgate’s team will be joined by Germany, who qualified automatically as the host nation, Austria, Belgium and France.

Portugal and Spain have both punched a ticket too, as have Turkey.

And then, of course, there is Scotland, who will return to a major tournament for the first time since the 1998 World Cup.

Any injury doubts for Southgate?

Bukayo Saka and Reece James missed out on selection last month because of injury, but have both returned to action as has Eberechi Eze.

The Arsenal winger, however, hobbled off the pitch during the 2-0 win in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

James Maddison, however, is a doubt after being forced off during Tottenham’s 4-1 defeat against Chelsea on Monday night.

Who will make the England squad?

Wualification to Euro 2024 may be already secured, but it remains to be seen whether Gareth Southgate will pick a more experimental squad.

The England manager attracted criticism for selecting Kalvin Phillips and Harry Maguire last month, despite their limited opportunities with their respective clubs.

Maguire, however, has since forced his way back into the Manchester United squad and has started the last five games in all competitions.

Here’s more on Maguire’s transformation from forgotten man to Erik ten Hag’s go-to-man.

England have already qualified for Euro 2024

England have already secured their place at Euro 2024, clinching their spot courtesy of a 3-1 win over Italy at Wembley last month.

The Three Lions are top of Group C with 16 points in six games, three clear of Ukraine who have played a game more.

Italy and Macedonia follow on 10 and 7 points respectively, with Malta bottom of the group on zero points after seven matches.

When do England play next?

If it feels as though we have just had an international break, that is because, in fact, we have. The last international break was less than a month ago, but another is upon us with leagues across Europe set to press pause after this weekend’s games.

England host Malta at Wembley on Friday, November 17 and face North Macedonia away three days later.

Good afternoon

Good afternoon and welcome to Mail Sport’s coverage of the England squad announcement for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.

Gareth Southgate is due to announce the squad at 2pm with a press conference to follow shortly afterward.

Stick with us for all the updates and reactions.

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