Liverpool defender Joe Gomez back in England squad as Gareth Southgate explains decision
Liverpool defender Joe Gomez, who won the last of his 11 England senior caps in October 2020, has returned from the international wilderness for March's Wembley friendlies against Belgium and Brazil.
Meanwhile, Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite and Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon have received their first England call-ups but there was no place for West Ham United's on-loan Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips in Gareth Southgate's last squad before making his Euro 2024 selection.
Southgate said on Gomez: "It's firstly great to see him playing regularly at Liverpool and he's such a lovely boy, I've known him since the under-17s won in Malta when he was at Charlton.
"We love working with Joe, we're delighted to see him back playing and we look forward to seeing him next week."
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Brentford striker Ivan Toney is back involved at the first opportunity after serving an eight-month Football Association betting ban, but Chelsea's former Liverpool attacker Raheem Sterling was conspicuous by his absence once again.
Phillips has been dropped after a torrid run of form since he joined West Ham on loan in January. He was at fault for a goal on his debut against Bournemouth before he was sent off at Nottingham Forest last month and hooked at half-time of Sunday's 2-2 draw at home to Burnley.
England boss Southgate said: "Well, I think he knows exactly what we think of him. A good version of him is an important player for us and that's why we've supported him as we have.
"Unfortunately his form hasn't been good enough and I've spoken to him about that. He
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