Picture Credit: Getty Images
Brentford striker Ivan Toney has got his maiden call-up for England for the Nations League games against Italy and Germany later this month. The Toney has been named in the Gareth Southgate's squad following doubts over Marcus Rashford's fitness. The 24-year-old Manchester United forward sustained muscle injury in the 3-1 Premier League victory over Arsenal on September 4.
Toney has been on an impressive run lately as he has scored five goals in six Premier League appearances this term and is the third-top scorer in the division behind Manchester City's Erling Haaland (10) and Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrovic (6). The 26-year-old has scored 17 top-flight goals and registered six assists in 39 appearances for the Bees since the start of the last season and scored a 28-minute hat-trick in the thrilling 5-2 win at home to Leeds on September 3.
Reportedly, Jamaican Football Federation made an attempt last year to rope in the quality striker and declare his allegiance to them. Rashford's United teammate Jadon Sancho is another player who will be left out of the squad despite an impressive start to the new season. Tottenham defender Eric Dier has been recalled by Southgate after playing a key role for Spurs under Antonio Conte.
According to reports, Southgate will take medical advice before naming his 26 man-plus squad on Thursday and Rashford might be asked to report up especially with so many other injury pull-outs. However, United Erik ten Hag insists that Rashford has shown lot of potential this season to earn a space in the World Cup squad.
“It's quite obvious and quite clear that Rashford is good enough to be in the England squad. I think in this season he's showing his great potential and quality.” Meanwhile, three overseas players like AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomoro, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham and Roma striker Tammy Abrahan have been included in the squad.
