England U21 squad: Arsenal partnership possible in £1 game, Rashford omitted as Man Utd star is set to play with big boys

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Manchester United hot-shot Marcus Rashford looks set to be named in the senior England squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia.

The 18-year-old scored a hat-trick on his U21 debut three weeks ago, but has been omitted from the latest squad, which almost certainly means he will be called up to play with the big boys.

Rashford seemingly impressed Gareth Southgate, who was in charge of the U21s when the United teenager helped them thrash Norway 6-1.

Southgate has since been promoted – at least in the short term – to manager of the England first team following the end of Sam Allardyce’s 67-day reign.

He will name his squad shortly.

The U21 squad includes two Arsenal defenders – Rob Holding and loaned-out centre-back Calum Chambers – meaning there is the possibility the pair could form a partnership at international level.

Aidy Boothroyd will take charge of the U21s for their away game in Kazakhstan on Thursday and then the home match with Bosnia & Herzegovina at Walsall’s stadium on Tuesday October 11.

Tickets for the match in Walsall are on sale for just £1.

England U21 squad (as named on TheFA.com)

Jonathan Mitchell (Derby County), Jordan Pickford (Sunderland), Freddie Woodman (Newcastle United)

Calum Chambers (Middlesbrough, loan from Arsenal), Ben Chilwell (Leicester City), Brendan Galloway (West Bromwich Albion, loan from Everton), Rob Holding (Arsenal), Mason Holgate (Everton), Dominic Iorfa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Matt Targett (Southampton)

Midfielders: Lewis Baker (Vitesse Arnhem, loan from Chelsea), Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea), Isaac Hayden (Newcastle United), Will Hughes (Derby County), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea), John Swift (Reading), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)

Tammy Abraham (Bristol City, loan from Chelsea), Demarai Gray (Leicester City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Nathan Redmond (Southampton), Duncan Watmore (Sunderland)

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