World Cup

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World Cup Qualifying - Europe | Group Stage

Mar 26, 2017 at 5pm UK

England
2-0
Lithuania Lithuania

Defoe (21'), Vardy (66')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson receives first senior England call-up

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter

Published: March 24 2017 | 13:41

Last updated: March 27 2017 | 15:21

Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson is called up to the England squad for the first time following an injury to Chris Smalling.

Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson has been called up to the England squad ahead of Sunday's World Cup qualifier at Wembley against Lithuania.

The 24-year-old gets his first senior call-up following the loss of Chris Smalling, who has returned to Manchester United for treatment on an unspecified injury.

Gary Cahill and Phil Jones are also unavailable as the former is suspended, while the latter suffered a toe injury in a training-ground challenge with Smalling earlier this week.

Gibson, a regular member of the England Under-21 side under current senior boss Gareth Southgate, will join the squad on Friday afternoon and take part in a training session on Saturday.

England, who were beaten 1-0 by Germany in a friendly on Wednesday in Southgate's first game as permanent manager, go into Sunday's game unbeaten in qualifying and are top of Group F on 10 points.