James receives maiden England call up as Abraham, Sancho and Chilwell arrivals delayed following Covid-19 breach

BetOdds England England v Wales Reece James Ben Chilwell Jadon Sancho Tammy Abraham Borussia Dortmund Premier League Chelsea Friendlies

Gareth Southgate has drafted the Chelsea full-back into his squad following an injury to Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling

Reece James has been handed his maiden England call up ahead of Thursday's friendly with Wales, while Tammy Abraham, Jadon Sancho and Ben Chilwell's arrivals have all been delayed following their breach of Covid-19 rules.

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling has been forced to withdraw from Gareth Southgate's squad through injury, having played the full 90 minutes of the 1-1 draw with Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday.

James has been called up to replace the winger, and will be in line to make his first senior international appearance when the Three Lions return to Wembley to face Wales later in the week.

The Chelsea starlet has enjoyed a strong start to the season at club level, featuring in three of the club's four Premier League fixtures and weighing in with a goal and an assist.

It remains to be seen whether or not he will be joined by Stamford Bridge team-mates Abraham and Chilwell, both of whom could be facing action from the Football Association after flouting social distancing laws designed to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Abraham was thrown a surprise birthday party after turning 23 on Saturday, with Borussia Dortmund talisman Sancho also in attendance at the Chelsea forward's mansion in London.

It has been reported that around 20 people showed up for the event in total despite the 'rule of six' still being in place across the country, and although Abraham has issued a public apology, he could yet be hit with a £10,000 fine.

Chilwell and Sancho are also under investigation, with the FA confirming that all three players will be unable to join up with the rest of the England squad until their investigation into the incident is complete, which also puts their participation in the UEFA Nations League doubleheader against Belgium and Denmark in doubt.

An official statement released on the FA's official website reads: "As a precaution to understand if there is any risk to the wider group, the arrival of Tammy Abraham, Ben Chilwell and Jadon Sancho will be delayed. This is to allow time to gather further information of a social gathering that all three players reportedly attended over the weekend.

"Separately, Raheem Sterling has been ruled out of all three fixtures through injury.

"Gareth Southgate will begin his preparations with 27 players after Chelsea full-back Reece James was handed his first senior call-up having initially been part of the U21 squad.

"England face Wales at Wembley on Thursday before welcoming Belgium on Sunday and Denmark on Wednesday, October 14 in UEFA Nations League Group A2."

2020-10-05 18:00:06

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