Emile Smith Rowe called up to England squad for World Cup qualifiers with Marcus Rashford out

Emile Smith Rowe has been handed his first senior England call up after Marcus Rashford and James Ward-Prowse were among those to withdraw.

Arsenal youngster Smith Rowe just missed out on Gareth Southgate’s original squad for the games against Albania and San Marino.

But Southgate has now called Smith Rowe into his party for the World Cup qualifiers after Rashford and Ward-Prowse pulled out due to injuries.

Emile Smith Rowe has been rewarded for his great form with a first England call-up 

The 21-year-old scored the winner against Watford on Sunday, taking his Premier League tally to four in 11 for the season with two assists  

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has pulled out of England duty to work on fitness

Smith Rowe is the latest exciting young English talent to emerge and is thriving under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal. 

He scored the only goal of the game in Sunday’s victory over Watford at the Emirates. The 21-year-old has four goals and two assists in 11 Premier League games so far this season.  

Rashford will remain with his club and work on regaining his sharpness. Rashford is still working his way back to match fitness following his long lay-off for surgery at the start of the campaign. 

He was also taken ill after United’s 2-2 draw against Atalanta in Bergamo and consequently missed two days of training last week. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deemed him fit enough to come on as a substitute in the Manchester derby defeat by City but he has ruled himself out of contention for England. 

Southgate will be without Ward-Prowse due to illness while Mason Mount and Luke Shaw are also staying with their clubs. 

Rashford and Mason Greenwood will both sit out the upcoming international games 

An FA statement read: ‘Emile Smith Rowe has received his first call-up to the England senior men’s squad.

‘The Arsenal forward arrived at St. George’s Park on Monday having initially been scheduled to join the MU21s in Burnley.

‘However, Marcus Rashford, James Ward-Prowse, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw have not reported for international duty.

‘Rashford will remain with Manchester United in order to concentrate on regaining full fitness while Ward-Prowse is ruled out of the forthcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers through illness.

Mason Mount and Luke Shaw are also missing from the England squad for upcoming games 

Smith-Rowe has been sensational for Arsenal in what has been a breakout season for him

‘Mount’s arrival has been delayed due to recent dental surgery and he will continue to be monitored in the coming days, as will Shaw who is currently following concussion protocol at his club.’

Rashford and Shaw join fellow team-mate Mason Greenwood in sitting out after Southgate last week revealed they had agreed for the youngster to miss the internationals. 

Following Rashford’s shoulder operation, he is still to play a complete game this term.