England took to the grass for the first time as they prepared for their Nations League double-header.

Henderson was one of three players not to train with the group on Tuesday morning, after he was drafted in to replace KalvinPhillips.

Trippier did not meet up with the squad until later in the day due to personal commitments.

Ivan Toney trained with the senior players for the first time after being called up for the first time last week.

England's next two fixtures...

  • Friday September 23: Italy (A) - kick-off 7.45pm
  • Monday September 26: Germany (H) - kick-off 7.45pm

If England lose to Italy in Milan on Friday night, they will be demoted to League B of the Nations League having lost two and drawn two of their first three games.

Sky Sports News senior reporter Rob Dorsett is at England's St George's Park training base to reflect on the major talking points at the start of a busy international fortnight.

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Jack Grealish on Man City form
Jack Grealish claims that there's much more to come from him at Manchester City and suggests that he hasn't been at his best since joining the club.

Southgate's midfield options

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Kalvin Phillips in action for Man City during a Champions League match vs Sevilla
Danny Mills believes Kalvin Phillips will struggle to get back to full fitness in time for the World Cup, following his latest shoulder injury setback.

"He's concerned." He doesn't name a lot ofMidfielders Jordan Henderson, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are England's key players in the middle of the field.

Southgate doesn't have a lot of options in the middle of the field, and Bellingham is the most in-form of the bunch. He's already had 10 appearances this season, which is more than any other EnglandMidfielder.

He's scored three goals and is a regular in the German and European leagues. With two big games coming up against Italy and Germany, as well as better opposition, Southgate likes to play two holdingMidfielders

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It may be a problem with Henderson andPhillips missing. If he's fit, he's a shoo-in, but who plays with him? It's possible it could be Bellingham. It would be a great opportunity for the young person.

Three months ago, he was 19 years old, so he has some pondering to do. There are not many options in the middle of the field.

The fact that Henderson turned up means that the medical team believes he can play in the next two games. It would be a huge boost.

How big an opportunity is this week for Toney?

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Brentford striker Ivan Toney says he never doubted his chances of an England call-up but adds why he turned down the possibility of playing for Jamaica.

Ivan Toney is the first player from Brentford to be called up to the England squad.

It's a huge opportunity for Toney. He has never been in an England set up so this is new to him. He will be training at St George's Park for the first time with Harry Kane.

The route he's taken is an extraordinary one. He's played for a number of different teams. Two years ago, he was a player for Peterborough.

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We shouldn't give him a hero's welcome. He deserves a call-up to England. He has been in great shape for the team. He has scored 13 league goals in the calendar year, more than any other English player.

England don't have a lot of strikers at the moment, but he is an out and out one. Five people are out of the picture.

He's going to make his debut. I don't think he should be called up to the squad if he doesn't play against Italy or Germany.

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Ivan Toney says Arsenal’s players' mockery of him on social media has become cringeworthy, after some members of Mike Arteta's squad responded to Toney's 2021 tweet following Brentford's victory last season.

With a record in his sights, is Kane expected to play both games?

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Harry Kane says it was great to score his 50th goal for England in a big game after his late penalty levelled the game against Germany in June

I would be amazed if he started both. Southgate is under some pressure. England lost to Hungary in their last game.

The last two games England play before the World Cup are against Italy and Germany. The Nations League gives you that.

Southgate's strongest team will play in the San Siro. Kane wants to break Wayne Rooney's record of 50 goals before the World Cup, and he came out to say that.

I expect Toney to come off the bench if England need a goal or if they are in control.

Is Maguire's lack of match fitness a problem?

Harry Maguire (R) and Luke Shaw (L) were unused subs during Man Utd's 2-1 win over Liverpool
Image: Like Maguire and Luke Shaw have been peripheral

The centre-back situation and lack of regular football for Harry Maguire are the biggest issues that have been brought up by the manager.

There is a debate going on between supporters. He has been a great player for England. The first name on the team sheet is Maguire.

He was part of England's success at the last World Cup and at the Euros, but he's not playing for Manchester United.

United have had a resurgence since he was dropped. His confidence was affected by that.

When you compare that to Eric Dier, it's the first time we've seen him in an England squad for nearly two years.

He should be in the England squad for a long time. He's England's most in-form centre-back right now, and he's here on merit.

He is in the center of a back three. Will Dier get a game if England do not play a back three? We'll know more about that in the next few days.

"Dier is playing well, but he's never let England down, even though he's not in top form." There is a problem position.

England's 28-man squad in full to face Italy and Germany

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale. Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Chilwell, Conor Coady, Eric Dier, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse.

Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Ivan Toney.

The fight to be England's left back

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Luke Shaw celebrates after equalising for England against Switzerland
The Soccer Saturday panel react to the England squad announcement, with Paul Merson believing Luke Shaw is fortunate to be included.

He has had to break his own rules. He has always said that you need to be playing and playing well to be successful.

Shaw was part of the England team at Euro 2020 but he isn't playing for Manchester United. His place has been taken by Tyrell Malacia who has looked comfortable.

He was taken off after 70 minutes against Dinamo Zagreb, but he played a little bit more than in the previous game. You wonder if Chilwell is going to get more game time after Graham Potter came in and worked with Cucurella at Seagulls. At left wing-back, Trippier could play.

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England's Nations League match against Italy on Friday will be the first time God Save the King will be performed before a match at an international level and will be sung by singer Carly Paoli.

Who will be the understudy to Pickford?

Following his troubles at Manchester United, Dean Henderson has been recalled to play forNottingham Forest. It's a huge opportunity for him and two other people.

Who will be the understudy to Jordan Pickford? It could be that they get a lot of game time. I don't think it's true. I think Pope is ahead of the other two because there isn't a lot of time before the World Cup.

He has made eight senior appearances, compared to three for Ramsdale and one for Henderson. If Pope starts against Italy, I think it's a good sign that he's going to be Pickford's backup.

England's World Cup group B fixtures

England manager Gareth Southgate during the UEFA Nations League match at the Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton. Picture date: Tuesday June 14, 2022.

The kick-off is 1 pm.

The kick-off is 7pm on November 25.

The Wales game will be played at theAhmed bin Ali Stadium.

England unite with European countries to fight discrimination

England will join forces with other countries to fight discrimination.

The OneLove campaign will use the power of football to promote inclusion and send a message against discrimination as the eyes of the world fall on the game. Each men's national team captain will wear a distinctive OneLove armband.

The FA will make a public commitment to the campaign for the first time when England play Italy in Milan on September 23rd.

All of the eight nations that have qualified for the World Cup will wear the OneLove armband, which carries a heart with all the colors of the world in it.

Pick your England starting XI for World Cup 2022

Who would you pick to start your England team at the World Cup?

If the World Cup started today, what would your England team look like? You can use our interactive selector to pick your team and share it with your friends on social media.