Harry Maguire and Nathaniel Chalobah named in England squad for World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia

HARRY MAGUIRE and Nathaniel Chalobah have both been named in the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia.

Leicester defender Maguire and Watford midfielder Chalobah have received their first call-up to senior international football after making impressive starts to the season.

Rex Features

Rex Features

Maguire has made a big impact at the King Power Stadium since his £17million move from Hull in the summer and his displays have persuaded Gareth Southgate to call him into his group.

He will be joined at St George’s Park next week by Chalobah, who has vindicated his decision to quit Chelsea for regular football by shining at Watford this season.

Chalobah is well known to England boss Southgate having played for him in the under-21 side, and is viewed as a potential answer to the country’s lack of a class holding midfield player.

Southgate said: “I thought his performances for Hull were very good.

“He is very comfortable with the ball, the profile of an international footballer.

“He has adjusted well to a new club, has great composure and can defend.

“I wanted him to get a feel for being around the squad and I had wanted to call him up last summer but he had a little knock so it didn’t happen.”

England travel to Malta for the first match on September 1, before they face Slovakia at Wembley on September 4.

Squad: Hart, Butland, Pickford, Heaton, Bertrand, Cresswell, Cahill, Jones, Maguire, Stones, Keane, Smalling, Walker, Trippier, Dier, Chalobah, Livermore, Henderson, Sterling, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rashford, Welbeck, Lingard, Alli, Kane, Vardy, Defoe, Sturridge