England v Slovenia: Harry Winks called up as Fabian Delph & Phil Jones injured

Last updated on 2 October 2017.From the section Football70

Harry Winks playing for England Under-21s — Harry Winks (right) has moved up from Aidy Boothroyd's England Under-21 squad

World Cup qualifier: England v Slovenia
Date: 5 October. Kick-off: 19:45 BST.
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live and the BBC Sport website and app

Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks has been called up to the England squad for the first time.

The 21-year-old was added for the World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia on Thursday and Lithuania on Sunday after defender Phil Jones and midfielder Fabian Delph suffered injuries.

Manchester United's Jones and Manchester City's Delph have returned to their clubs.

Winks had been due to link up with the England Under-21 squad.

Winks has made seven appearances for his club this season and been capped by England at under-17, under-18, under-19, under-20 and under-21 levels.

Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson and Michael Keane missed Monday's training at St George's Park, and instead took part in a recovery session.

England will guarantee qualification for the 2018 World Cup with victory over Slovenia at Wembley or their final Group F match in Lithuania.

Delph, 27, was recalled to the England squad in order to increase competition for a place in the midfield, with Tottenham's Dele Alli suspended against Slovenia.

Delph's appearance in City's win at Chelsea on Saturday - in an unfamiliar left-back role - was his first start in 17 months after a series of injuries.

Jones, 25, played the 90 minutes for United's win over Crystal Palace, having missed the trip to CSKA Moscow on Wednesday through injury.

Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand, who is likely to start at left-back, said England have the depth in their squad to deal with absentees.

"We have fantastic competition for places and that can only be good for the squad," he said.

"We are very much in a positive mindset and the work is not finished. We want to get the six points.

"With perhaps my fan's head on, it would be nice to complete the qualification in front of the home fans and have a decent night at Wembley."

Before training on Monday, England's training pitch at St George's Park was named after Sir Bobby Charlton to mark the World Cup winner's 80th birthday.

Charlton will also be guest of honour at Wembley.

Bertrand, 28, added: "To see such a great inspiration in England and to get to meet him, albeit a bit brief, was an amazing moment."

Game will go ahead despite strike threat

The Football Association says the match against Slovenia will go ahead at 19:45 BST despite planned industrial action by Tube drivers.

The Aslef union is set to conduct a 24-hour strike over a working practices dispute.

The FA said it had been working with Transport for London and National Express to help fans to travel to and from the game in the event of strike action taking place.

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70 comments

Comment posted by lillywhite , at 12:30 3 Oct 2017
As a Spurs fan it's good to see our players do well. However the lad gets the odd chance to play so how on earth does that warrant a call up to England. Like everyone else I have increasingly very little interest in the national side.
Comment posted by Munkhouse, at 12:49 3 Oct 2017
Everyones complaining, but not one person has suggested another name to be called up over winks. Good luck to him, hopefully he keeps Henderson out of the team.
Comment posted by BaggiosPonytail, at 12:02 3 Oct 2017
Shirt number 40
Comment posted by Spursman66, at 12:10 3 Oct 2017
Harry Winks...watch this space. Great player but not ready for England yet...from a Spurs Fan
Comment posted by PetreDyche, at 12:31 3 Oct 2017
A player with no business near the senior squad replacing a player with no business near the senior squad. Winks is better off actually getting a game for the u21s. A good example of why you don't alienate the fringe pros like Milner.
Comment posted by piscean62, at 12:31 3 Oct 2017
Why am I not surprised that it is an average young squad player from one of the "Big Clubs" who is handed his England debut call-up... rather than one of the superbly in-form players from - say - currently 6th placed Burnley, who are praised by all neutral football observers week in, week out.
Comment posted by D1679684273668, at 12:23 3 Oct 2017
He best wear number 40 otherwise what's the point
Comment posted by Matt83, at 12:13 3 Oct 2017
i'm a spurs fan but if winks is England standard then we are in deep do do
Comment posted by thepeltoncreeper, at 13:00 3 Oct 2017
Some silly comments here Harry Winks was coming in leaps and bounds before his injury at end of season Pochettino using him more and more and in big games too this. Kid will go to the very top he has great attitude good vision and passing stop the anti spurs stuff this is a good move he’s better than Delph by far well done Harry good luck son
Comment posted by MikeM, at 13:06 3 Oct 2017
Give the lad a chance before writing him off. Why is that people have to Criticize, Condemn or complain all the time.
Comment posted by User0436220799, at 12:29 3 Oct 2017
No disrespect to young Winks but it seems now that as there are so few English players in the Premier league if you play for one of the so called top teams and you are English you get put in the England squad?
Comment posted by thfc12, at 16:00 3 Oct 2017
Harry Winks has been on the books at Spurs since he was 6 years old, already capped at U17/18/19/20/21, Pochetino trusts him as he has played in big games and prior to injury last season was already getting regular outings in the team, prob won't be played in upcoming England games but def 'one for the future", GS can't win, whoever he picks he gets it in the neck from fans.
Comment posted by Huggie, at 13:15 3 Oct 2017
He has a lot of potential and can create chances better than Dier, Henderson, Livermore etc. but still young and developing under Poch's tutelage. Still don't think he's quite ready, but considering how bad the English midfield is, and the lack of good options, it's not that surprising he's already getting a call up.
Comment posted by D1679106518482, at 12:40 3 Oct 2017
Stupid Unions targeting key events again. This is what voting Labour will bring x 100.
Comment posted by Glenn57, at 14:13 3 Oct 2017
Another Spurs player obviously Southgate has trouble travelling out of London. Is he a member of the metropolitan elite?
Comment posted by jonesy77, at 12:25 3 Oct 2017
Hardly surprising. If your English and in a Premier League Squad then you more likely than not to get a call up
Comment posted by User0599435435, at 15:14 3 Oct 2017
Winks is a decent player, but not yet ready for England. The problem is that he is like all other midfield players England has at it's disposal. They can all pass a ball over short distances (sideways mostly!) and keep their shape but none can receive the ball under pressure and/or beat a man. Makes the way we play very predictable and easy to defend against. Where are our Hazards, De Bruyne etc?
Comment posted by Lacashette, at 13:19 3 Oct 2017
From a Spurs fan, he seems to have great potential and will learn so much from players like Dembele, Eriksen and Dier. I doubt he will be anywhere near the England starting line up in competitive games but pleased for him getting the call up.

If he keeps grounded and has the right attitude he will go far. I look forward to seeing him grow in a Spurs shirt. COYS
Comment posted by mcsmog, at 13:50 3 Oct 2017
My dog once ran onto Spur's training pitch chasing a rabbit. He now awaits his England call up as that is all it takes, apparently!
Comment posted by Phil Deggers, at 12:39 3 Oct 2017
Remember when England's greatest concern in the centre of midfield was how best to accommodate all of our best players? I would say those were the days but we never looked like winning anything then either....