England head coach Gareth Southgate has included Manchester United defender Harry Maguire in the squad for their qualifying matches for Euro 2024 despite the 30-year-old not playing any matches this season.

Speaking about Maguire’s inclusion in the squad, Southgate said it is important for England to have experienced players in the defence for their upcoming matches. England is set to face Ukraine and Scotland in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.

“We have lost a lot of experienced players with caps at centre-half, we are giving some less experienced players the opportunity to come into the squad. There is a space there and I think for these two games it is important we have some experience in that place of the pitch,” said Southgate.

Southgate also handed Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah his first call-up for England. The 21-year-old has already scored twice in three Premier League appearances this season. Southgate also named Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale as the other Arsenal players in the 26-member squad.

Meanwhile, Jordan Henderson, who moved to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq has also been named in the squad, alongside Manchester City’s Kalvin Philips, who just like Maguire, is yet to play a match this season.

England will face Ukraine on September 9, before taking on Scotland on September 12.

England’s 26-member squad:

Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea).

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Al Ettifaq), James Maddison (Tottenham), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (Arsenal).

Forwards: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Callum Wilson (Newcastle), Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal).