Big Sam names first England squad: Arsenal and Man United stars dropped

Posted Monday, August 29, 2016 by Caughtoffside.com

Sam Allardyce made some notable omissions as he named his first England squad on Sunday evening.

The new Three Lions boss handed a first call-up to West Ham United midfielder Michail Antonio.

Big Sam also recalled Leicester City star Danny Drinkwater, who was overlooked by Roy Hodgson ahead of Euro 2016, and fit-again Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw.

Arsenal's Jack Wilshere, Everton's Ross Barkley, Southampton's Ryan Bertrand and Man United striker Marcus Rashford have all been dropped following the Euros.

Meanwhile, there is no James Milner following his international retirement earlier this month.

Tottenham Hotspur are the best-represented club in the squad, with five players - Kyle Walker, Danny Rose, Eric Dier, Dele Alli and Harry Kane.

England begin life under Big Sam next Sunday when they travel to Slovakia for a World Cup qualifier.

A new squad will then be named before England's first home qualifier, which is against Malta on the second Saturday in October.

England squad for Slovakia away

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)

Defenders: Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Michail Antonio (West Ham United), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Drinkwater (Leicester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

Strikers: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)