Gareth Southgate says axing Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood from his England squad “sends a message” to other players, but confirmed the pair will be back in contention for the next round of international fixtures.
Foden and Greenwood both received their first call-ups for last month’s Nations League meetings with Iceland and Denmark, but were sent home in embarrassment following the first fixture and fined by local police for breaching Covid-19 regulations.
Both have featured regularly for their club sides this season but were omitted from an enlarged 30-man squad which will play Nations League games against Denmark and Belgium, as well as a friendly against Wales, this month.
“They’re two very talented players,” Southgate said. “I think with what happened there are two parts. One is we have to send a message to all players in our teams at every age level that that isn’t how we do things with England.
“But then we have to rehabilitate these two boys. Young people will make mistakes. I do a lot of work with the Prince’s Trust and they’re brilliant at helping youngsters get back on their feet when things haven’t gone right.
“These lads have suffered now enough. We didn’t think it was right [to call them up], I think they need this period of reflection but then that gives them the opportunity to get back on their feet with their clubs, enjoy their football again.
“They’re both starting to play well again, which is important. Then I can speak to them after this camp and then it will be just down to their form as to whether they’re selected next time around.”
One young star who has been included is Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, who earns his first call-up to the senior side.
Southgate did not name a single recognised left-back in his last squad, using Kieran Trippier as a makeshift in the position, and though Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell is back from injury, Saka’s versatility looks likely to stand him in good stead.
“We’ve been impressed with his progress through our system,” Southgate said. “At times last year for Arsenal he was really exciting, still very young, still learning, of course, but improving all the time.
"He has real high potential, real good quality, and everybody who works with him tells me he’s a really level-headed, intelligent boy.
“It’s an area of the pitch we’re keen to look at a different profile of player and he can play a number of different roles very comfortably.”
