England squad announcement LIVE: Lee Carsley reveals selection for upcoming Nations League fixtures

Harry Kane spoke about the decisions Lee Carsley has to make when naming an England squad and says that competition for places in the senior side is healthy.

Speaking after Bayern Munich’s defeat to Aston Villa yesterday, the England captain said: “We have a lot of great competition for places in that area, especially from a striker’s point of view, that is great to see.

“That is what you want. The manager has got a headache, that’s for sure. We have some great talent in the country. Everyone is playing at a really high level, in big games, in big moments, and it will be interesting to see who will be there next week.

“From an England point of view, it is great to see everyone doing well.”

Lee Carsley says he has never heard the England post be described as the ‘impossible job’ and instead sees it as an opportunity for someone to lead the country to a major trophy.

Sir Alf Ramsey’s 1966 World Cup heroes remain the only English men’s team to lift silverware after Gareth Southgate’s side fell agonisingly short in back-to-back European Championship finals.

“I’ve not heard that one, no,” Carsley said when the phrase – which references the 1994 documentary ‘An Impossible Job’ filmed during Graham Taylor’s time in charge of the national team – was put to him.

“I think it’s a really good job. It’s a job where, when you look at different opportunities, the first thing you think is: ‘Can you win? Can you be in a position where you can win?’ This job definitely ticks that box.

“We’ve got the players to be really, not only be competitive, but to win a major trophy.”

Lee Carsley wants to keep “freshening it up” as England’s interim manager looks to build on a promising first camp and “keep moving the squad forward” this month.

The England Under-21s boss was temporarily promoted to senior team manager in August after Gareth Southgate called time on his eight-year reign following the Euro 2024 final loss to Spain.

Carsley is set to manage England throughout the autumn and began his reign with a 2-0 Nations League win away to the Republic of Ireland on Saturday before beating Finland by the same scoreline three days later.

England captain Harry Kane says the abundance of attacking talent in the national squad is making his life a dream.

Kane is ready to lead his country into the upcoming Nations League games against Greece and Finland after overcoming an ankle injury to feature for Bayern Munich in their Champions League defeat at Aston Villa on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old took his tally to 68 England goals in the last international break and with the likes of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Jack Grealish, Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon and others like Morgan Gibbs-White coming through, plenty more goals are on the horizon.

John Stones is one of only six Englishmen to start two finals, along with Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, Luke Shaw, Declan Rice and Harry Kane. It also means they have tasted disappointment on both occasions.

“The last time was difficult,” Stones said. “This time it was different, a different feeling around everything. A different process through the tournament with how we played and how we managed everything.

“To get to another final is incredible, and I really believed we could do it. Personally, emotionally, I was upset straight away and then angry. I had anger at myself, the outcome of it. You always feel you can do more…

“‘What if this happened? What if I did that?’. That is just the pure emotion of being self-critical. Not getting there again, having that hurt again. It was hard for me.

“I kind of box it away and try to not think about the pain. It’s deep. It’s hard to witness and be a part of. It is never going to be easy and I feel this one really, really hurt.”

If Harry Kane is often described as a role model, it is not just to emerging footballers. He serves a particular inspiration for one long-time teammate right now. The celebrations for the England captain’s 100th cap, earned against Finland in September and marked with two goals, are fuelling an ambition in John Stones.

He is only 19 away from joining the striker in the ranks of England’s centurions. He has an eye on his own hundred.

“Definitely,” he said. There is a lot left in the tank. “Yeah, 100 percent. To see Harry do that, I never thought I would get 50 caps and to hit 75, I have done that, and 81 now. I got told I got level with Rio [Ferdinand] on 81, that is a massive achievement for me personally and it is a bit strange to say.”

The German press labelled Harry Kane as “invisible” after the striker struggled to make an impact in Bayern Munich’s Champions League defeat to Aston Villa.

Vincent Kompany’s side were surprisingly beaten by the hosts as they suffered an early set-back in the revamped competition.

The Bundesliga club dominated possession at Villa Park but were unable to beat Emiliano Martinez, allowing Jhon Duran to strike late on to snatch the three points.

Lee Carsley was without a number of stars for his first camp, with five of those that played in the Euro 2024 final unavailable or withdrawing from the squad through injury.

Jude Bellingham was among those as he deals with a calf complaint but the Real Madrid star could return in October.

Carsley said: “I was definitely aware of him [Bellingham] and I’ve spoken to him by text to see how his injury is because he’s a player that I’m really looking forward to working with.

“Players like Jude, Phil [Foden], Cole [Palmer] all missed out and they’re all outstanding talents. I’m lucky to have worked with Phil and Cole.

“I think I had Jude when I was assisting with the 21s for a couple of camps. I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Gareth Southgate says he has ‘no regrets’ over his eight years as England manager despite not managing to lead the national team to a first international trophy since 1966.

Southgate’s tenure saw the men’s senior side reach the finals of Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 but England were defeated in both by Italy and Spain respectively, meaning the wait to win more silverware goes on.

Speaking in an interview with Sky News, the former England boss was asked for his reflections on his time as head of the national team and how he felt about resigning.

Eddie Howe has urged Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon to “maximise every moment” after the winger featured in both of England’s internationals against Republic of Ireland and Finland in September.

“This is a big season for him in his career.” said Howe of Gordon, “You don’t get many second chances in your career – the years go so quickly, and I can vouch for that.

“He’s still young and developing, but he needs to maximise every moment. He is the type of character that wants to do that. He’s very committed to his next dream and aim and that’s to have a great season with us.”