Jack Cork: Burnley midfielder called up to England squad after trio withdraw

Burnley midfielder Jack Cork has been called up to the England squad for the friendlies against Germany and Brazil.

Raheem Sterling, Fabian Delph and Jordan Henderson pulled out of Gareth Southgate's squad on Tuesday after Tottenham trio Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Harry Winks also withdrew.

The uncapped Cork, 28, joined Burnley from Swansea in July and has played every minute of their Premier League campaign to date.

"I'm really, really happy," he said.

"We've had a good start to the season and you're probably not going to get many better opportunities to be in the England squad, because we are doing so well.

"Four or five of the lads in the Burnley squad probably could have got in at the same time as me, so I feel lucky that I've been given the chance."

Cork has represented England at every level from under-16 to under-21 and also represented Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics while playing for Southampton.

Burnley manager Sean Dyche said: "It's great for him and a deserved call-up."

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has also joined up with England, having been assessed by his club's medical team amid injury concerns.

England host Germany at Wembley on Friday and then play Brazil at the same venue on 14 November.

Tottenham's Harry Kane and Harry Winks were both injured during Sunday's match against Crystal Palace

Manchester City winger Sterling and club-mate Delph, who is a midfielder but has been playing at left-back, were both involved in their side's 3-1 win over Arsenal on Sunday.

Sterling came off after 78 minutes, while Delph played the whole game but appeared to pick up an injury in the closing stages.

Liverpool midfielder Henderson missed his team's 4-1 victory at West Ham on Saturday with a thigh injury and, after being assessed by his club, has stayed on Merseyside.

West Brom midfielder Jake Livermore was called up as a replacement following the withdrawal of Kane and Winks.

Striker Kane has a knee injury while midfielder Winks has an ankle problem. The pair had treatment during the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Their Spurs team-mate Alli had already withdrawn from the original squad - and on Monday, England called up Everton defender Michael Keane to replace him.

England squad

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke City), Joe Hart (West Ham - loan from Manchester City), Jordan Pickford (Everton).

Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Michael Keane (Everton), Harry Maguire (Leicester), Danny Rose (Tottenham), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Eric Dier (Tottenham), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Jake Livermore (West Brom), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Crystal Palace - loan from Chelsea), Ashley Young (Manchester United), Jack Cork (Burnley).

Forwards: Tammy Abraham (Swansea - loan from Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Jamie Vardy (Leicester).

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Comment posted by Dinoscaramanga, at 12:46 7 Nov 2017
Eric Dier (Tottenham), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Jake Livermore (West Brom), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Crystal Palace - loan from Chelsea), Ashley Young (Manchester United).

Is that the weakest midfield we've ever had?
Comment posted by saddletramp , at 12:47 7 Nov 2017
Crouchy will play,give him a bell,there's a man who loves playing football.
Unlike most of the pampered heads of today.
Rumour has it,Friday nights Sterling has his hair done.
Comment posted by Pilf, at 12:48 7 Nov 2017
Wonder how many of these players would be lacing up their boots this weekend if it were a full schedule of Premier League games??
Comment posted by TallYorkie, at 12:54 7 Nov 2017
All the players withdrawing should be made to sit and watch the game on TV - then they can see first hand the same turgid dross we England fans have to regularly endure !
Comment posted by _bertie, at 12:47 7 Nov 2017
Why doesn't the Germany or Brazil squads get published here? It would be nice to see what we're up against. Seems a bit rubbish for this page to just be about the England team and not the opposition too. I can't find it anywhere on this site
Comment posted by Phineas Foggiest, at 12:53 7 Nov 2017
If I was Southgate I'd ring every one of the current squad and say, "Sorry lads, it seems like friendlies are such an inconvenience to so many of your colleagues (and their clubs) that we're going to pick the under-20's instead. You know, a team that has actually won something."
Comment posted by User0775739834, at 12:46 7 Nov 2017
Give Demi Gray a chance now. He'll snap it up
Comment posted by Dubbus, at 12:43 7 Nov 2017
If that was a squad of players playing in the premier league you wouldn't expect it to finish in the champions league places
Comment posted by D1679684273668, at 12:43 7 Nov 2017
Brazil and Germany must be cacking their collective pants having to play against this squad. shocking.
Comment posted by nick4brum, at 13:19 7 Nov 2017
Why are these games at Wembley? This would be a great opportunity to play a game in the Midlands and one in the North to connect to those fans who can't normally afford or get to England matches and let them suffer what those in the south have had to suffer.
Comment posted by hadleewastheking, at 12:49 7 Nov 2017
Surely an opportunity to play some of the U20 & U17s??
Comment posted by Sup, at 12:44 7 Nov 2017
Dropping like flies!

We may as well set up with a 6-3-1, get a couple of 0-0s and forget it all happened

What a joke our national team is
Comment posted by MMWorth, at 12:52 7 Nov 2017
Here is a real opportunity to have a look at some fringe/younger players. Promote some of the under 20, under 18/17 or even Championship players. Neither Germany nor Brazil will be fielding their best teams (therefore no insult) so rather than playing 'make weights' give some of our outstanding young talent a go... you never know they might actually turn out as good as we all hope they are!
Comment posted by Richard H, at 12:56 7 Nov 2017
I played alright last night, passing sideways and backwards to keep the ball and even occasionally forward!

I am an overweight 51 year old but read the game well. I'm not the future but ready to answer my countries call as a short term option
Comment posted by kevin, at 13:22 7 Nov 2017
England - In transition since 1966...
Comment posted by D1679110813156, at 12:53 7 Nov 2017
Can anyone explain why Southgate doesn't just send out one of England's world cup winning teams of youngsters instead then? Everyone's whining about them not getting game time and lack of opportunities, and it's clear the 'big boys' are more interested in their club form, so give the hungry talent a chance instead of cobbling together a patchwork squad of 3rd choices! C'mon, Gareth, join the dots!
Comment posted by Helen, at 12:47 7 Nov 2017
Just play the U17s and U20s, at least they look like they want to play.
Comment posted by User0471884253, at 12:49 7 Nov 2017
Well, there go all Southgate's plans for these friendlies. Total waste of time now.
Comment posted by Ruud Bullit, at 13:03 7 Nov 2017
Obviously players prioritising club over country.

Will learn very little from next 2 friendlies.

Fans should stop watching or going to friendlies.

Then with little money to be made FA might stop pointless fixtures.
Comment posted by Dan, at 12:42 7 Nov 2017
Funny how all these injuries suddenly stack up around the international break...