Rico Lewis one of three uncapped players called into England squad

England manager Gareth Southgate has called-up Rico Lewis for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.

The Manchester City defender will join up with the squad as the Three Lions face Malta at Wembley Stadium on Friday before taking on North Macedonia three days later in Skopje.

The versatile Lewis – who can operate at right-back or defensive midfield – had been named in the Under-21 squad but with injuries to the likes of Callum Wilson and James Maddison, he has been called-up for senior duty.

He will be joined by his former teammate, Cole Palmer, who is also a graduate of the Manchester City academy.

With Brighton defender Lewis Dunk also ruled out due to injury, Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa, 26, has also earned his first call-up, while Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham is also a doubt but stays with the squad.

This is how the new England squad shapes up:

An update to the #ThreeLions squad as @EzriKonsa, Cole Palmer and Rico Lewis receive their first senior call-ups…

— England (@England) November 13, 2023

Lewis was an unused substitute against Chelsea but has become an important member of Pep Guardiola’s side.

After the treble winners’ Champions League victory over RB Leipzig last month, the Spanish manager described Lewis as one of the best players he has ever coached.

“What a player! What a player!” Guardiola said. “I’ve been a manager for 14, 15, years and lucky to train one of the best players in the world in Barcelona.

“To find a player like him playing in the pockets, how he has to move as a holding midfielder, moving in the spaces, he is one of the best I’ve ever trained by far.

“He’s a humble guy, doesn’t talk much. He didn’t play much this season but he is going to play a lot.”