Smith Rowe receives first England call-up as Rashford withdraws from squad

Emile Smith Rowe has received his first England call-up, with Marcus Rashford, James Ward-Prowse, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw all struggling for fitness ahead of the side’s World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino.

Smith Rowe has enjoyed an outstanding start to the season with Arsenal, racking up four goals and two assists in the Premier League, and had initially been named in Lee Carsley’s Under-21 party.

The 21-year-old midfielder, a product of the Gunners’ academy, has been promoted to Gareth Southgate’s senior squad at St. George’s Park and will no doubt be itching to play a part in England’s double-header.

Rashford only recently returned from a shoulder injury, but has been suffering with an illness and has decided to withdraw from international duty to concentrate on making a full recovery.

United and England were in agreement that it would be beneficial for Rashford to continue working on his fitness at Carrington rather than be risked in the Three Lions’ upcoming qualifiers.

Southampton captain Ward-Prowse has also been ruled out through sickness, while Mount’s arrival at England’s training camp has been delayed due to recent dental surgery.

But Southgate later revealed that the youngster had asked not to be considered in order to concentrate on his football at club level.

‘We had a discussion before the camp in September and we came to an agreement,’ the England head coach explained.

‘John McDermott [the FA’s technical director] and myself went to United and had a good chat with Mason and his family and we agreed we would park this until next year, basically. We would leave the autumn games.

‘If he establishes himself in Manchester United’s team then he is going to be very close to an England squad or an England team so he recognises that.

‘He wants to play for England. He is clear about that. We are not not picking Mason because we don’t think he’s good enough or we are not happy with what he requested. We are totally understanding of that and we are happy to wait.

‘Also we have seen lots of youth development and this is his and his family’s one and only chance, so they are understandably more cautious than we might be. We believe these boys can be very big players for England in the long term and we don’t want to get it wrong in the short term.’

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