Brentford striker Ivan Toney earns first England call-up in World Cup countdown

The 26-year-old has opportunity to impress against Italy and Germany in Nations League

Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been handed his first international call-up as Gareth Southgate named his squad for England's final camp before the World Cup. PA

Ivan Toney has his chance to impress Gareth Southgate. PA

Striker Ivan Toney celebrates. PA

Ivan Toney carries the match ball after his hat-trick against Leeds United on September 3, 2022. Getty

Ivan Toney celebrates scoring against Leeds United. Getty

Ivan Toney celebrates scoring against Leeds. Getty

Ivan Toney celebrates with teammates against Leeds United. Getty

Brentford's Ivan Toney is a surprise call-up for England. Action Images

Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been handed his first international call-up as Gareth Southgate named his squad for England’s final camp before the World Cup.

This month’s Nations League matches against Italy and Germany are the last opportunity for the Three Lions manager to work with his players before they meet up for the tournament in Qatar.

Southgate has named an expanded 28-man squad for England’s challenging September double-header, with Brentford goalscorer Toney the headline inclusion.

The 26-year-old has never represented his country at any level and went on a myriad loans before impressing at Peterborough and shining for the Bees.

Toney has scored five goals in Brentford’s first six matches of the Premier League season.

“With Ivan Toney, we have been tracking him for a long time. I had a good chat with [Brentford manager] Thomas Frank about him last season,” Southgate said.

“His form and his qualities – not only his goalscoring but his technical ability, build-up play and aerial prowess – gives us a different threat to some of the other players we could pick.”

Tottenham's Eric Dier, who won the last of his 45 caps in November 2020, returns to the fold, as does Chelsea's Ben Chilwell for the first time since suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury last November.

Fellow left-back Luke Shaw is also in the squad despite only playing two matches for Manchester United this season and dealing with a foot complaint.

Harry Maguire was also dropped to the bench by Erik ten Hag after defeats in the opening two games but the under-fire defender has been named in the England squad.

But United teammates Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford are again omitted – the latter is dealing with a muscle injury but the former is eye-catching considering his impressive start to the campaign.

Dean Henderson – on loan at Nottingham Forest from United – returns to the squad following No 1 Jordan Pickford’s injury, while Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is out with a hamstring issue.

Euro 2020 star Kalvin Phillips is included despite concerns over a lack of playing time being compounded at Manchester City by a shoulder issue.

James Justin, Ben White and Conor Gallagher dropped out of the group that featured in June, while Tyrone Mings and Ollie Watkins are among those overlooked again.

England face European champions Italy at the San Siro in Milan on September 23 and Germany at Wembley three days later.

They are without a win in four games since beating Ivory Coast 3-0 in a friendly in March, including an embarrassing 4-0 home defeat to Hungary last time out.

Southgate added: “It is only eight weeks until we will be naming our squad for Qatar so every minute counts.

“Reflecting on the last couple of months, clearly as an international manger you don’t have any games to quickly put disappointment behind you.

“We have had a long period to reflect but now we are really looking forward to two high-quality matches that will be a great test for us and a crucial part of our preparation for the World Cup.”