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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Daniel Sturridge among seven players axed by England boss Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate gets tough as Chris Smalling, Fraser Forster, Jermain Defoe, Aaron Cresswell and Jake Livermore are also dumped for friendlies against Germany and Brazil

ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN and Daniel Sturridge are among SEVEN players axed by England boss Gareth Southgate.

The Liverpool duo have been left out of Southgate's squad for the two prestige friendlies against Germany and Brazil later this month.

 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been dropped by England
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been dropped by EnglandCredit: Rex Features
 England boss Gareth Southgate has got tough with his stars by dropping seven of them from his squad
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England boss Gareth Southgate has got tough with his stars by dropping seven of them from his squadCredit: Reuters

And Southgate has also left out Jermain Defoe, Jake Livermore, Chris Smalling and Fraser Forster to show he will not settle for taking players along for the ride.

The Three Lions boss admitted last month that some members of his squad for the final two qualifying matches did not deserve to be there.

And he followed up that frank admission with decisive action as he looks to mould a squad capable of competing at the World Cup next summer.

But Ashley Young's excellent recent form at Manchester United have seen him earn a recall to the senior squad.

 Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is another to have been axed
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Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is another to have been axedCredit: PA:Press Association
 Ashley Young has been handed an England recall by Gareth Southgate
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Ashley Young has been handed an England recall by Gareth SouthgateCredit: PA:Press Association

And Southgate has shown he is ready to bring in bright young players by calling up under-21 trio Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Joe Gomez and Tammy Abraham for the first time.

Loftus-Cheek, 21, has impressed on loan at Crystal Palace while fellow Chelsea youngster Abraham, 20, has performed well at Swansea.


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England under-21 captain Gomez has been one of the bright spots in Liverpool's defence this season as he makes up for lost time following a year out injured.

As expected there was no place for Jack Wilshere, despite calls from Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger for him to be selected.

Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks, who has impressed in two matches against Real Madrid, has also retained his place in the group.

Southgate said: "If I'm asking club managers to be brave and pick young players, I think I've got to do the same.

 

"There is no non-competitive game for England. These are huge opportunities for us to improve and play against the best two teams in the world currently.

"I don't see a fixture where you pull an England shirt on and it's not competitive. It's important we register that.

On 32-year-old Young's recall, more than four years after his last cap, Southgate said: "His performances warrant it.

"We want to play with wing-backs - I think it's a role he can perform, left or right, very well. He's played very well for Manchester United.

England squad to face Germany and Brazil

Abraham, Alli, Bertrand, Butland, Cahill, Delph, Dier, Gomez, Hart, Henderson, Jones, Kane, Lingard. Loftus-Cheek, Maguire, Pickford, Rashford, Rose, Sterling, Stones, Trippier, Vardy, Walker, Winks, Young

"Generally speaking we want to look at younger players, and develop the team, but I've always said if a more senior player is playing well and warrants the call-up, we should include them.

"He's a player every Manchester United manager has picked, and that tells me something about his mentality and the trust they have in him."

Gomez is one of the young defenders Southgate wants to have a look at following an impressive start to the season with Liverpool.

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Asked what Gomez's best position was, Southgate said: "He is a centre-back. In a back three it is perfect for him.

"He is quick, athletic and can use the ball. A great personality and I have had really good feedback from Aidy (Boothroyd) about his performances and mentality around the Under-21s.

"I am really pleased to be working with him again. I think he will relish this opportunity."

 

The selection of Gomes means United defender Smalling has been sacrificed - and with it came a telling statement from Southgate.

He said: "We want to play in a certain way and the players I have brought in I want to see using the ball from the back and building it up in a certain way.

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"And that is a style thing I want to look at. I know what Chris can do.
"There are a few young defenders that haven't got as many games under their belt and I think it is a great chance to see what they can do and see if they can play at this level."

 

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