Dele Alli included in England squad despite possible FIFA ban By James Dale
Last Updated: 28/09/17 7:13pm
Dele Alli has been named in England's squad for their final World Cup Qualifiers, despite facing a possible ban for both matches. Sky Sports News had reported Alli would be selected for the squad regardless of whether he suspended by FIFA for making an offensive gesture during England's 2-1 win over Slovakia at Wembley last month. The FA would appeal if Alli is served a ban that would see him miss England's opening two World Cup fixtures in Russia next year, according to Sky sources, with the midfielder facing a maximum suspension of four games. Jamie Vardy is not included in the squad, and Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare confirmed the forward only returned to training on Thursday for the first time this week because of a hip problem.
Gareth Southgate expects him to be involved against Bournemouth on Saturday but feels he will benefit from resting during the international break.
Southgate said: "I am pretty sure he will play for Leicester at the weekend, though that is not certain. But he needs an injection after the game which would rule him out of our match.
"So we have had a good conversation with the club, but more importantly for me was the conversation I had with him. He has not been training. He is playing in a lot of pain. That is unsustainable over any longer period.
"So it is not ideal from our point of view. Frankly, we are missing too many good players from this squad with injury. It is not a squad I am putting out thinking it is as strong as I would like it to be."
Nathaniel Chalobah, Danny Welbeck and Tom Heaton - all members of the last squad - also miss out through injury. Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph is a notable inclusion in the 26-man squad, having won the last of his nine caps against Spain in November 2015. Speaking about Delph's inclusion, Southgate said: "We think he is a really good player. He was a very important player for a period with Roy [Hodgson]. He has been unfortunate with injuries.
"He is obviously at a club where chances have been a little bit limited but he has dug in, forced his way into their side and he is playing well.
"He obviously hasn't had as many games as we would like but we have got a situation in midfield where we need to have more competition for places and more alternatives.
"We think he is a player that can provide that and we are looking forward to working with him."
Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster joined Delph as the only changes to the squad, with Everton's Michael Keane has been included despite concerns over a foot complaint.
Full England squad:
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (West Ham, on loan from Manchester City), Fraser Forster (Southampton), Jack Butland (Stoke) Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Aaron Cresswell (West Ham), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Harry Maguire (Leicester), John Stones (Manchester City), Michael Keane (Everton), Chris Smailling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham)
Midfielders: Eric Dier (Tottenham), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Jake Livermore (West Brom), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Dele Alli (Tottenham)
Forwards: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Bournemouth), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11057452/dele-alli-included-in-england-squad-despite-possible-fifa-ban
