Villa’s Morgan Rogers receives first England call-up as eight players withdraw

Lee Carsley has handed a maiden England call-up to Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers after eight players pulled out of his final squad on Monday night.

Carsley will take charge of the team for the Nations League matches with Greece and Republic of Ireland before he hands the reins over to Thomas Tuchel.

However, the England interim boss will be without a string of senior players after Aaron Ramsdale, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Levi Colwill, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden withdrew from the squad.

It has opened the door for Rogers to receive his first senior call, while James Trafford, Tino Livramento, Jarrad Branthwaite and Jarrod Bowen have also been added to the squad, which leaves Carsley with a 23-man group.

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“Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers has received his first senior call up,” a Football Association statement read.

“Jarrod Bowen and Jarrad Branthwaite along with the uncapped Tino Livramento and James Trafford have also been added to Lee Carsley’s squad.

“This follows the loss of eight players ahead of this week’s UEFA Nations League fixtures.

“Trent Alexander-Arnold, Levi Colwill, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Cole Palmer, Aaron Ramsdale, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are all unavailable.”

Arsenal pair Rice and Saka were forced off during the second half of Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea.

Alexander-Arnold suffered a hamstring injury in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa but is set to return later this month.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola had expressed his bemusement at Grealish being called up despite not featuring for his club since October 23.

Rogers’ call is reward for an excellent 12 months since Rogers joining Villa from Middlesbrough in January, with the forward scoring six times in 31 appearances.