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Football

10th Nov 2020

17-year-old Jude Bellingham called up to England squad for first time

Simon Lloyd

Another milestone for the teenager

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham has received his first call-up to the England senior team.

Bellingham had originally been named in the England Under-21s squad but has now been promoted to Gareth Southgate’s team ahead of games against the Republic of Ireland, Belgium and Iceland following the withdrawal of James Ward-Prowse through injury.

The 17-year-old has made an impressive start to life at Dortmund following his summer transfer from Birmingham City, the club that retired his shirt number after his rise through their youth ranks to the first team. He had been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United, but opted for a move to the Bundesliga club instead.

Bellingham scored his first senior goal on his competitive debut for Dortmund against MSV Duisburg in the German Cup. He has since played six times in the league and became the youngest Englishman to play in the Champions League.

As well as Ward-Prowse, Southgate will also be without Trent Alexander-Arnold, who also picked up an injury during Liverpool’s draw with Manchester City at the weekend.

Marcus Rashford is also expected to report for duty on Thursday after picking up a minor injury during Manchester United’s 3-1 victory over Everton on Saturday.