Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes will not be switching allegiance to Scotland before the World Cup, head coach Steve Clarke has confirmed. The 28-year-old, who has one England cap from a friendly against Wales in October 2020, is eligible for Scotland through his maternal grandparents. However, Clarke revealed Barnes has turned down the opportunity to play for a place in his squad.
Likewise, with the 2026 World Cup fast approaching on the horizon, many of England's biggest superstars are looking to shore up their spot in Thomas Tuchel 's squad to North America. With a number of spots still reportedly up for grabs, it has been suggested that a number of fringe English aces are looking to complete a January return to the Premier League.
We don't think it is a serious injury but we are getting him scanned and waiting on the result. I think there is every chance he might miss our game on Sunday but we will give him every opportunity to be fit. I feel relaxed about him being with England. It will all be done with England's blessing in terms of whether he is fit or not fit. We will work together to find the best solutions for Anthony.
Manchester City defender Nico O'Reilly was today added to the England squad for the upcoming doubleheader against Wales and Latvia. It is a first senior call-up for the 20-year-old, who moves up from the Under-21s, for the friendly with Wales on Thursday and the World Cup qualifier in Riga five days later. O'Reilly replaces Reece James in the squad after the Chelsea defender sustained an injury in his side's 2-1 defeat of Liverpool on Saturday evening.
