Chambers, Colback, Delph and Rose in maiden England calls

England manager Roy Hodgson has handed first-ever senior call-ups to versatile Arsenal defender Calum Chambers, Newcastle United and Aston Villa midfielders Jack Colback and Fabian Delph, and Tottenham left back Danny Rose, as the Three Lions face Norway and Switzerland in September.

The Wembley friendly with the Scandinavian side on Wednesday (September 3rd) will be the only warm-up match played before qualification for Euro 2016 starts. England face the Swiss away five days later.

Chambers, 19, has caught the eye in central defence for the Gunners, but played almost exclusively as a right back for former club Southampton. Colback and Delph, meanwhile, are included among Hodgson’s midfield options following the international retirements of Three Lions skipper Steven Gerrard and vice-captain Frank Lampard.

Rose, 24, could see his place in the Spurs XI come under threat from summer signing and Wales counterpart Ben Davies, but has been named by Hodgson here because Luke Shaw is injured. A number of other full backs, plus Manchester United’s Chris Smalling are also sidelined.

Jon Flanagan and Glen Johnson (both Liverpool) join Rose’s Tottenham teammate Kyle Walker in missing out through injury. There is a place for Everton youngster John Stones, however, after he was only on standby for the World Cup. He is included alongside Toffees teammate Leighton Baines.

Central defence has a familiar look about it, with Phil Jones (Manchester United) joining first-choice pairing Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill on the roster. Hodgson has also kept faith with his pool of three goalkeepers; Joe Hart (Manchester City), Fraser Forster (Southampton) and Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion).

Joining new boys Colback and Delph in midfield are Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Jack Wilshere. Hodgson recalls Andros Townsend for his wide options, alongside Raheem Sterling and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, though Arsenal teammate Theo Walcott is yet to return from a serious knee injury.

All four World Cup strikers; new captain Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck and Rickie Lambert have been retained.

The likes of Tottenham defender Eric Dier and West Brom attack Saido Berahino, who were rumoured to be pushing for senior call-ups, are in Gareth Southgate’s Under-21 squad for Euro 2015 qualifiers against Lithuania and Moldova also announced today.