Jadon Sancho & Tammy Abraham Available for England Selection Against Belgium

Gareth Southgate has confirmed that both Jadon Sancho and Tammy Abraham are both available for selection for England's Nations League game against Belgium on Sunday, but Ben Chilwell will miss out through illness.

All three players broke the UK government's 'rule of six' regulations regarding the coronavirus pandemic after they attended a 20-person gathering to celebrate Abraham's birthday. As a result, they were unable to join up with the national squad immediately, and were quickly ruled out of the game against Wales.

Sancho and Chilwell attended Abraham's birthday party which breached government guidelines | Michael Regan/Getty Images

But Southgate has now confirmed that both Borussia Dortmund winger Sancho and Chelsea striker Abraham both trained with the squad on Saturday and will be available for selection against Belgium. Southgate did add that their lack of training in recent days is a concern, but was keen not to discuss the matter further.

"Tammy [Abraham] and Jadon [Sancho] both trained this morning [Saturday]," Southgate said in his press conference (via England's Twitter) on Saturday ahead of the tussle with Belgium.

"Everybody is available and everyone trained this morning. They've [Sancho and Abraham] missed a bit of training so that's a bit of a concern in terms of their load through the week, but the situation is done. They're back with the group and we move forward."

Sancho could start on Sunday | Michael Regan/Getty Images

As for Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell, he will miss out through an illness which is said to be unrelated to COVID-19. This illness means he has yet to train with the squad, and it remains to be seen whether or not he will be fit in time to play some part against Denmark on Wednesday.

Southgate added: "Ben [Chilwell] will be tested on Saturday and we'll have to wait for the results of that on Sunday and then we can make a decision medically from there."

Chilwell will not be available for selection | Visionhaus/Getty Images

Sunday's game will be a good opportunity for Southgate to see how his team can compete against the nation currently ranked number one in the world. Of course, he will be hoping for a strong showing, with top spot in their Nations League group up for grabs.

The Three Lions boss named a fairly experimental lineup for the friendly win over Wales last time out, but a number of senior members such as Harry Maguire, Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane are expected to come back into the starting lineup.


Source : 90min