Gareth Southgate told Arsenal star Eddie Nketiah where he sits in England pecking order
Gareth Southgate has told Eddie Nketiah where he is in the pecking order of England strikers after snubbing him in his latest squad.
The England boss has named a virtually unchanged squad ahead of the final Euro 2024 qualifiers this month against Malta and North Macedonia.
Nearly unchanged, at least, with Newcastle star Callum Wilson replacing Nketiah in the squad, while John Stones missed out through injury.
But Southgate has told Arsenal star Nketiah where he is in his mind.
When speaking about the striker, Southgate said: «There is competition at the moment.
»We see Callum [Wilson] and Ollie [Watkins] slightly ahead of him, but he's progressing well."
Nketiah made his England debut against Australia but has yet to play in a competitive fixture for the Three Lions.
The 24-year-old has scored five times this season including a wonderful hat-trick against Sheffield United late last month.
But with an abundance of forwards to pick from, Southgate has left the Arsenal star at home ahead of the final Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Harry Kane is undoubtedly England's main man up front but his supporting cast includes Wilson and Watkins while Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford can also play there.
The Three Lions have already qualified for Euro 2024, which is set to be held in Germany next summer.
England sit top of Group C after five wins and a draw in six matches in their Euro qualifiers.
They are ahead of second-placed Ukraine by three points, who have also played a game extra.
Southgate's side confirmed their spot at next year's European Championship with a 3-1 win over Italy at Wembley last month.
England are back at Wembley next Friday to face Malta, who have lost all seven matches so far.
They then travel to Skopje to face North
Read on talksport.com
