Euro 2016

Dele Alli, Danny Ings receive first England call-ups

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor | 01 October 2015

England head coach Roy Hodgson gives first call-ups to Dele Alli and Danny Ings for the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers against Estonia and Lithuania.

Roy Hodgson has named Dele Alli and Danny Ings in the senior England squad for the first time.

The uncapped duo have been included by the head coach as part of a 24-man selection for the Euro 2016 qualifiers against Estonia and Lithuania later this month.

Nineteen-year-old Alli has featured in just eight first-team games for Tottenham Hotspur, who signed him in February from MK Dons but loaned him back to the Championship club until the summer.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino recently insisted that the midfielder was not ready for a call-up to the senior side, but it would appear that Hodgson has been impressed with what he has seen from the youngster so far this season.

As for Ings, he has found starting opportunities hard to come by since his switch to Liverpool from Burnley at the end of last term, but he has also caught Hodgson's eye and will challenge the likes of Wayne Rooney, Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane for a starting berth up front.

However, there is no place for Ings's club teammate Daniel Sturridge, despite his recent return to fitness following a lengthy injury layoff.

The already-qualified Three Lions will play host to the Estonians at Wembley on October 9, before they conclude their campaign in Vilnius three days later.

England squad in full

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke City), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)

Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton)

Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea City), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Forwards: Danny Ings (Liverpool), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)