Former under-21 England international goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has been called in to replace Southampton teammate Fraser Forster in the England squad for Sunday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Slovakia.
The 26-year-old McCarthy has so far won only three caps for England under-21 national set-up and the trip to Slovakia will be his debut inclusion with the senior squad.
Fraser Forster had been expected to start in front of Joe Hart, who has just completed his move to Italian side Torino, but he was forced to return to club for treatment on a minor arm injury he picked up in training.
Joe Hart is now likely to start in what will be his 64th cap for England, with Southampton’s summer arrival from Crystal Palace Alex McCarthy expected to provide support to Manchester City shot stopper on loan at Torino.
England are looking for a swift return to winning ways in Trnava following their disappointing Euro 2016 campaign which saw them being eliminated by lowly Iceland at Stade de Nice in the last 16.
Roy Hodgson submitted his resignation after yet another embarrassing major competition with Sam Allardyce being tasked to pick up the pieces and get England to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
An opening win would be a huge morale-boost for the young and talented England squad, who have been given betting odds of 2.05 (21/20)@Ladbrokes to emerge victorious from their matchup against Slovakia at the Stadion Antona Malatinskeho.
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