Gareth Southgate fires warning to Reece James after Chelsea star ASKED to be left out of England squad
REECE JAMES gambled on his Euros spot by ducking out of England duty because he does not feel physically ready.
Boss Gareth Southgate was hoping to call up the Chelsea skipper, who has just returned from his latest hamstring injury.
But James, 23, explained he wanted to sit this one out to continue his recovery.
The England boss said: “I was hoping to call up Reece.
“He doesn’t feel he is quite ready. I understand that.
“He’s had a long path back from a number of injuries.
“So he’s a little bit cautious in that respect but I can understand why.
“There is a lot of competition at full-back and that’s the risk. He’s only got one more squad before the Euros.
“So he knows that. We’ve got belief in what he can do.”
Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier are the two right-backs in Southgate’s latest squad for this month’s Euro qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, with Trent Alexander-Arnold listed as a midfielder.
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Southgate name-checked Toon whizkid Tino Livramento, 20, as someone who caught the eye.
Raheem Sterling was missing for the third consecutive camp since opting not to join up to the squad in June, so he could concentrate on his fitness.
Yet Southgate said: “The door is 100 per cent open not only for Raheem but for other players.”