The news comes amid doubts over Marcus Rashford’s fitness, with the 24-year-old still feeling the effects of an injury picked up in the 3-1 Premier League win over Arsenal on September 4, when he scored twice to level the score of the season. three. Having featured in United’s opening Europa League game, a 1-0 home defeat to Real Sociedad, Rashford will be absent again for the second group game away to Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday. As a result, Southgate began to include Toney, who has scored 13 Premier League goals since January, in the squad. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player FREE WATCH: Highlights from Brentford’s Premier League win over Leeds. The 26-year-old has scored 17 top-flight goals and provided six assists in 39 appearances for the Bees since the start of last season and scored a hat-trick on 28 minutes in a thrilling 5-2 home win over Leeds. September 3. He has not been capped for England at any age group and was reportedly courted by the Jamaica Football Association last year in a bid to convince him to pledge allegiance to them. England face Italy away on Friday 23 September at 19:45, before hosting Germany on Monday 26 September at 19:45. More to come… Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player FREE WATCH: Highlights from Brentford’s Premier League win over Leeds.
“King of penalties Toney has more than justified his participation”
Sky Sports’ Dan Long: “It has been 83 long years since a Brentford player last won an England game. There are precious Bees fans still with us who would have been alive when Les Smith substituted against Romania on May 24, 1939, less than four months before the outbreak of World War II. Even fewer, if any, will remember the occasion. “But this nearly century-long wait is likely to end soon. “It is a more than justified inclusion for 26-year-old striker Toney, who was playing in League One just four seasons ago. Before his move from Peterborough to west London, he made it clear that he was so confident in his abilities that he could step up to the Premier League. The claim was scoffed at by many. “In 2021/22 – the Bees’ first season in the top flight since 1946/47 – he led the way admirably, with 17 goals in 33 league appearances and has started this campaign with an added spring in his step, with five goals from just six shots on target – including a superb hat-trick in a 5-2 win over Leeds – and another two assists. “He’s not afraid to stick around elsewhere on the pitch, which often goes unnoticed. He’s often a key presence when Brentford defend set-pieces, has won 20 aerial challenges so far and attempted six crosses. There’s a certain unselfishness to his game. “But what’s more interesting, from an England perspective, is Toney’s penalty record. He’s been Brentford’s first spot-kick since joining the club and has scored every one of the 18 he’s taken. In March, Bees boss Thomas Frank said he was the “best penalty taker in the world at the moment”. “Toney was often, lazily, christened a penalty dealer and nothing more. But as was the case in the past, he had the last laugh.”
England’s World Cup Group B matches
Image: Gareth Southgate
November 21: Iran (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan) – kick-off 13.00 25 November: USA (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor) – kick-off 19.00 November 29: Wales (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan) – 7pm kick-off
Pick your England starting XI for the 2022 World Cup
Gareth Southgate has revealed his final England squad ahead of the World Cup – but who would your starting XI be? What would your England starting XI look like if the World Cup started today and all players were available? Use our interactive selector to pick your team below, bookmark your picks and share them on Twitter @SkyFootball.
