Jordan Henderson is among the highest-profile absentees from Gareth Southgate's provisional England squad ahead of this summer's European Championships.
The former Liverpool captain continued to be named in squads after his move to Saudi Arabia in 2023, but has not made the cut. Henderson returned to Europe midway through the season, joining Ajax, but his form in the Eredivisie has not been enough to convince Southgate to add him to a pre-tournament squad.
One man who does make the cut is Henderson's former Liverpool team-mate Curtis Jones, who has impressed during an injury-hit season. Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah and West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen are among the other names in the mix, with Southgate due to trim his squad further before England's opener.
England have two pre-tournament friendlies to come, against Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 3 and Iceland on June 7. Their Euros group includes Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia, with the first of those matches on June 16.
Henderson, who turns 34 in June, has 81 senior caps for England. He has been part of the squad for every major tournament since Euro 2012, and scored at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.
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A quarter-final goal against Ukraine at the last Euros was the first of three he has scored for England. He also netted against Albania in a World Cup qualifier, before scoring the first of his country's three goals in their World Cup round of 16 victory over Senegal.
After winning multiple trophies with Liverpool, he left for Al-Ettifaq last summer before completing a January switch to Ajax. The veteran won the most recent of his 81 international caps against Malta in November, and was an unused substitute for the draw with Belgium in March.
Is Gareth Southgate right to leave Jordan Henderson out of his squad? Have your say in the comments section
Henderson's last England cap came against Malta in November (PA)In February, Southgate admitted he was relieved Henderson had returned to Liverpool. However injuries restricted the former Premier League star to just 10 Eredivisie appearances for Ajax.
"It's easier to assess someone playing in a European league," Southgate said "For Jordan, I think he'll be excited about the game the other night - a derby atmosphere, playing in a game where firstly the club are absolutely delighted to have him there. He's had a really warm welcome and been really well received, and I'm sure that will mean a lot to him."
The following month, Henderson suggested Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was right to freshen up the Reds' midfield in a summer which also saw the likes of Fabinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain leave Anfield. "Looking back in that period of time, looking back now, it is easy to see that it was the right decision made by the manager and the club," he said.
"It was the best decision to freshen things up. If you look at Virgil van Dijk becoming captain, Trent Alexander-Arnold becoming vice-captain, and how they've stepped up again this season, I think it has given them another lift.
"They have been two huge players for the team this season. I think it was the best thing for the club and the team and you can see that in the performances and how they've done, as much as that hurts me.
"It's football and you move on. I'm so happy it's worked out for them so far and I've just got my fingers crossed it can be a fairytale end for Jurgen because he deserves it."
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