Chelsea’s Mason Mount appears in line for England nod for September qualifiers

Mason Mount is likely to be rewarded with an England call-up after his impressive early-season form for Chelsea.

The midfielder has caught the eye for Frank Lampard’s Blues and is expected to be included for next month’s Euro 2020 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Kosovo.

Boss Gareth Southgate names his squad on Thursday and is a fan of Mount, having invited him to train with the seniors before last year’s World Cup.

Norwich City v Chelsea – Premier League – Carrow Road

Chelsea’s Mason Mount (left) has two goals in four games this season (Joe Giddens/PA)

The 20-year-old, who has scored two goals in four games this term, was called up for the Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain in 2018 but is yet to earn a cap.

James Maddison could be handed a first senior call after a good start to the campaign with Leicester.

The midfielder played for the under-21s in their disappointing Euro 2019 campaign in the summer.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka endured a nightmare tournament, scoring a late own goal as England lost 2-1 to France in his only game for the Young Lions in Italy and San Marino.

The defender was distracted by Manchester United’s interest, with boss Aidy Boothroyd unhappy with the speculation during the competition, before he finally completed a £50million move from Crystal Palace to Old Trafford.

But he has done well at United and is expected to join the senior side to compete with established right-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kyle Walker.

It leaves Southgate with a selection headache at right-back after he also watched Kieran Trippier in Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 win at Leganes on Sunday.

Kieran Trippier File Photo

Kieran Trippier moved to Atletico Madrid in the summer (Victoria Jones/PA)

Tammy Abraham, who made his senior debut against Germany in 2017, is also an option for Southgate.

The striker scored his first two goals for Chelsea in their 3-2 win at Norwich at the weekend.

Southgate and assistant Steve Holland watched Jack Grealish in Aston Villa’s 2-0 win over Everton on Friday and, while the midfielder is on their radar, this squad may have come too soon for the 23-year-old.

Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell has been nursing a hip problem, missing the 2-1 win at Sheffield United, but is expected to be fit.

Goalkeeper Jack Butland’s poor early-season form for Stoke in the Sky Bet Championship may see him drop out after he was included in the Nations League squad in the summer.

Sheffield United’s Dean Henderson, on loan from Manchester United, Southampton’s Angus Gunn or Burnley’s Nick Pope could replace him.

Burnley’s uncapped striker Ashley Barnes seems a long shot for a call-up despite four goals in his first three games for the Clarets.

Switzerland v England – Nations League – Third Place Play-Off – Estadio D. Alfonso Henriques

Tottenham’s Dele Alli has been battling a hamstring problem (Tim Goode/PA)

Dele Alli has been nursing a hamstring injury but is expected to return for Tottenham to face Arsenal on Sunday, leaving Southgate with a decision to make.

Everton’s Fabian Delph is likely to miss out having been battling a groin problem.

England are top of Group A after two wins from their opening two games.

FourFourTwo Staff

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