Ben White set to be left out of Lee Carsley’s first England squad as Arsenal star sent warning

Ben White is unlikely to be handed an England recall by Lee Carsley today, talkSPORT understands.

Carsley will call up his first international squad in his role as interim manager of the Three Lions ahead of two Nations League fixtures in September.

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England will face the Republic of Ireland on Saturday 7th September and Finland on Tuesday 10th September in the first test of Carsley’s management.

The former England Under-21 boss took over after Gareth Southgate announced he was stepping down from the post following the side’s 2-1 final defeat at Euro 2024.

It will thus mark the first time in eight years that someone other than Southgate makes the calls for the Three Lions as Carsley begins his bid to possibly take up the role permanently.

But one player who will probably not feature in his squad is Arsenal defender White.

Back in March 2024, Southgate had explained how the 26-year-old has asked not to be considered for England duty and he consequently did not appear at the Euros.

Some reports had cited a falling out with assistant coach Steve Holland – who is now no longer in the role – as the reason for his departure, although Southgate had said there was ‘no issue between us at all and there’s also no issue with Steve’.

White had been in excellent club form last season, making 39 appearances across all competitions.

And while it now looks as though his absence will continue even with a new management team in place, not everyone is so sure that he will always be content with the decision he made.

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Former England and Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor made three appearances for his country during his playing career.

He told talkSPORT Breakfast they were some of the most treasured experiences of his time as a footballer.

“Do you know what I like?” he explained. “I’ve retired – and no one can take those England caps away from you.

“There’s so many top players that didn’t play for their country. Just didn’t get into the squads. Big, big players and you look back and you’re going to be like – I could have played for my country.”

And when asked whether he believed White might come to regret not answering the international summon, Agbonlahor admitted there was certainly a possibility of it.

“I think he might (regret it),” he said. “But at the moment he might just be being stubborn and thinking, no it’s not for me.

“But looking back now, I’m looking back and thinking I played for my country and you can’t take that away from me.”

While Agbonlahor valued his international caps so highly, he did say he wasn’t surprised by White’s continued absence, explaining there could be a number of reasons for it.

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“Maybe Ben White just wants his four days off every international break like I said before,” Agbonlahor suggested.

“He might be looking forward and thinking, start the season, I’m going to get three or four days in Dubai. That might be what he wants.

“Every player (in there) has to want to play for their country.

“If he doesn’t want to, no one can say ‘you have to play for your country.

“He might look at it and say no, it’s not for me. And that’s what it sounds like.”

Someone who will likely feature in Carsley’s first squad is Manchester City defender Rico Lewis, who will hope to add to his singular international cap.

He will not be joined in the camp by Real Madrid starlet Jude Bellingham though, with the midfielder having been ruled out for some time with a calf injury he picked up.