Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer name the player they 'wish' was in England's Euro 2024 squad

England football legends Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer (Pictures: Getty)

England legends Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have named the player they ‘wish’ was in the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 squad.

Gareth Southgate will take up to 26 players to Germany this summer as the England men’s team look to end their 58-year wait for a major trophy.

A 33-man England training group was announced on Tuesday but that longlist must be whittled down before the June 7 deadline for Euros squads to be named.

Some high-profile names were overlooked by Southgate, including Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, ex-Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and Chelsea stars Raheem Sterling and Reece James.

But Lineker and Shearer were more frustrated by another absentee, admitting they ‘wish’ Arsenal defender Ben White was travelling to the Euros this summer.

At a press conference at St George’s Park on Tuesday, Southgate confirmed he had not spoken to White before finalising his 33-man group, after the 26-year-old asked not to be selected during the last international break.

The issues between White and England stem from the Qatar World Cup, when he left the Three Lions squad halfway through the tournament after falling out with England assistant boss Steve Holland.

Lineker and Shearer both wish a resolution can be found and say it is ‘such a shame’ that White will not be going to the Euros despite his superb form for Arsenal.

White has been a mainstay in the Arsenal team over the last two years and featured in all but one of their Premier League games this season as the Gunners narrowly missed out on a first title since 2004.

‘Ben White’s had an absolutely brilliant season, he’s a superb player,’ ex-England striker and Match of the Day host Lineker said on The Rest is Football podcast.

‘I just hope and wish there was a way that Gareth Southgate could make his peace with him and get him out there.

‘Obviously, with the injuries England have got at the moment, particularly back positions, and I suspect he could play anywhere across the back as he was a central defender, I think he’d be a really good addition.

‘I understand there might have been some sort of fall-out but come on… He’s been fabulous this season, he’s very consistent and just a good footballer.’

Three Lions legend Shearer added: ‘It’s such a shame. Bloody hell man, you’ve got a Euros coming up and you’ve had a season like Ben White and he’s not going to be in that squad.

‘It’s such a shame. Come on guys! Whatever the issue is, you’ve got to sit down and clear the air and sort this out.

‘They’ve got an unbelievable chance of winning the Euros and yet he’s not going to play a part in that after the season he’s had. What a mess, what a shame.’

Asked about White’s continued absence at the recent press conference, Southgate said: ‘I didn’t speak to Ben. As far as I am aware, he isn’t available to us.’

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