Ben White was today called up by England for the first time since he walked out of the squad during the World Cup in 2022.

The Arsenal defender, who has won four caps, has been named as a replacement for Bayer Leverkusen’s Jarell Quansah while Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes has also been added to the group in place of Eberechi Eze of Arsenal.

Barnes was reportedly considering declaring for Scotland ahead of the World Cup but appears to have opted for the Three Lions.

White accepts England call after previous refusals

It is the inclusion of White, who played in Arsenal’s EFL Cup final defeat to Manchester City yesterday, that will make the headlines, though.

The 28-year-old was a member of the squad that reached the final of Euro 2020 but did not make an appearance. He was also included in the group that went to Qatar for the World Cup four years ago.

He returned home midway through the tournament for personal reasons and did not return. Reports suggest he was upset following a comment by Steve Holland, one of Gareth Southgate’s coaching staff.

Southgate revealed he had wanted to call White up in March 2024 but had been told he was unavailable.

That stance has changed now with Thomas Tuchel in charge.

An England statement today read: “Newcastle United’s Harvey Barnes and Arsenal’s Ben White have been added to the England squad.

“The pair replace Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze and Bayer Leverkusen’s Jarell Quansah who are ruled out of the Three Lions’ March internationals through injury.

“Barnes made his only appearance for the senior team in October 2020 while White has four caps to his name.”

Uruguay and Japan tests for England

England host Uruguay on Friday before taking on Japan on March 31, with both games at Wembley.

White could get the chance to impress at right-back with Reece James injured and Trent Alexander-Arnold not included in the 35-man group selected by Tuchel on Friday.

Barnes, who was part of the Newcastle XI beaten by Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby yesterday, will go up alongside club team-mate Anthony Gordon and Barcelona’s Marcus Rashford.