Midweek Call For Southgate's Squad

Last updated : 09 March 2019 By Three Lions

Gareth Southgate will name his first squad of 2019 on Wednesday for the double header of Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic at Wembley on Friday 22 March and in Montenegro the following Monday.

All eyes of course are on whether the England manager will select West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice after his decision to opt for the Three Lions over Ireland.

"He knew what we thought of him as a player, but it was important that he had the space to make that decision and while the rules are as they are, that will happen," Southgate told talkSPORT earlier in the week.

The manager had plenty of good news to ponder from his attacking players in Saturday's Premier League action as Raheem Sterling netted a hat-trick for Manchester City and Harry Kane scored for Tottenham.

There was also a goal for Callum Wilson, part of Southgate's last squad in November, on his Bournemouth comeback following an injury setback.

"Callum Wilson is a unique player, he has the ability to run in behind, he is strong, powerful, he took his goal really well, and the most impressive thing was his assist for Ryan [Fraser]," Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe told BBC Match of the Day.

"Behind the scenes he has done a lot of work and I had no doubt he could play for a long time, but even I was surprised it was 90 minutes, but that shows how professional he is."

But Southgate will also be reading the reports of a bad day at the office for his first-choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as Everton lost a two-goal lead and all three points at Newcastle United.