Jesse Lingard and Luke Shaw back in England squad, as Ollie Watkins picked ahead of Patrick Bamford while Trent Alexander-Arnold left out with Gareth Southgate not choosing any Liverpool players

Gareth Southgate has recalled Luke Shaw, Jesse Lingard and John Stones to his latest England squad and given first call-ups to Ollie Watkins and Sam Johnstone.

The Three Lions boss has named a 26-man squad for England's World Cup qualifiers this month, which sees them take on San Marino, Albania and Poland.

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Jude Bellingham has been included but Southgate is not expecting to be able to call upon the teenager, with Borussia Dortmund denying him permission to travel due to quarantine rules in Germany.

No Liverpool stars have been selected, with Trent Alexander-Arnold dropped despite being considered one of the best full-backs in world football 12 months ago.

Jadon Sancho misses out through injury, while Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Tammy Abraham are not included having been dealing with issues of their own.

Leeds striker Patrick Bamford had been widely tipped for a call-up, but Southgate has turned to Watkins, who has impressed since joining Villa from Brentford in the summer.

On Watkins and Bamford, the England boss said: "(Bamford was) very close. There's a number of positions in this squad that have been really close calls and we felt we wanted an extra striker.

"We're really pleased with Harry (Kane) and (Dominic) Calvert-Lewin and what they've done. Tammy Abraham hasn't really been involved for Chelsea over the last four to six weeks.

"And both Ollie and Patrick in particular, their goals record has been good. We like the personalities of both. Ollie is a player we've had less interaction with in the past. It's going to be good to get to know him.

"We like his pressing, the speed and the runs in behind. He's got some improvement to make in linking the game, but in his first season in the Premier League at a big club, he's done exceptionally well.

"That's been a really close call because all the things I've said about Ollie I could have said for Patrick as well, so he's very unfortunate."

West Brom 'keeper Johnstone, who has shone for the embattled Baggies this season, gets his maiden call-up following an injury to England number one Jordan Pickford.

Southgate also confirmed that Newcastle glovesman Karl Darlow was considered.

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Southgate said: "Karl Darlow has had a very good season for Newcastle. He's probably found himself out of the team at just the wrong time in many regards really.

"But Sam Johnstone, in a team that has had a difficult season, has kept a very good level of performance. He's comfortable in possession as well as keeping the ball out of his net."

Alexander-Arnold is conspicuous by his absence from the squad, with Southgate saying the Liverpool star hasn't been playing at the level he was at in recent years.

Manchester United full-back Shaw is back having not featured for England in two-and-a-half years, while Man City central defender Stones and West Ham's on-loan Lingard are back for the first time since 2019.

On the three recalls, Southgate said: "Jesse of the three, you'd have to say is a bit more fortunate to be in. I think Luke and John have performed over a period of time.

"We've got injuries in the attacking areas which have opened up an opportunity for Jesse, but I have to say his performances for West Ham have been excellent. We know he can perform at the level."

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Bellingham's inclusion is interesting given the Football Association had expected regional coronavirus travel restrictions in Germany to rule him out.

Southgate added: "We don’t know if he’ll be able to play, but we’ve left him in the squad and at this moment in time it looks like we won't be able to take him, but the rules can change so quickly and while we’re still investigating we wanted to name him in the squad."