England’s Jack Wilshere (R) in action against Slovenian’s Miso Brecko (L) during the UEFA EURO 2016 qualification soccer match between Slovenia and England in Ljubljana, Slovenia, 14 June 2015. PHOTO/AFP
LONDON, United Kingdom, Nov 7- Jack Wilshere has been handed an England recall for the crucial World Cup clash against Scotland on Friday.
The Arsenal midfielder, currently on loan at Bournemouth, has been in the international wilderness since Euro 2016, but Gareth Southgate named him in a 25-man party to face Gordon Strachan’s side at Wembley and the friendly against Spain four days later.
Wilshere was axed by Sam Allardyce for his one and only game in charge against Slovakia, while Southgate omitted the 24-year-old for the qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia last month amid concern over his fitness.
But Wilshere’s decision to leave the Emirates in search of regular game time has paid dividends.
Likewise, Harry Kane has also been handed an instant international recall by Southgate, who made personal visits to a number of his players ahead of Sunday’s announcement, after missing the double-header against Malta and Slovenia with an ankle injury.
The Tottenham striker made his first appearance in seven weeks on Sunday scoring a penalty in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal and despite his lack of game time Southgate has selected the 23-year-old.
‘Jack Wilshere is a player who we feel has a lot of class and has now started to get more 90 minutes under his belt,’ said Southgate.
‘You’re looking at players you feel have the ability to play in an England shirt, and Jack definitely has that.
‘Tottenham have been very helpful in terms of Harry’s availability and keeping us informed of where he’s at, so I’m grateful to Mauricio Pochettino for that.’
Raheem Sterling, Adam Lallana, Danny Drinkwater and Nathaniel Clyne have also been recalled after missing out through injury last time, while Burnley defender Michael Keane keeps his place in the squad.
However, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Michail Antonio have both been dropped, while Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw also miss out as concerns emerged over the Manchester United duo’s fitness on Sunday.
Southgate was forced to omit Dele Alli, who was likely to start against Scotland, after he picked up a knee injury in training on Friday, but his Tottenham colleague Kyle Walker is fit enough to report to St George’s Park this afternoon after an ankle injury scare during the north London derby.
-By Daily Mail-
