Dominic Solanke eyeing first England call-up in seven years as Lee Carsley prepares to select second squad
Dominic Solanke is hopeful of earning an England recall when Lee Carsley names his latest squad on Thursday, talkSPORT understands.
Solanke has scored in each of his last three games for Tottenham and is understood to have impressed interim boss Carsley during their 3-0 thrashing of Manchester United on Sunday.
Carsley was in the crowd at Old Trafford to run the rule over Solanke and his teammate James Maddison.
Spurs’ record £65million signing Solanke won his only senior England cap in a friendly against Brazil in 2017.
He has made many appearances in numerous age groups for England and was part of their Under-20 World Cup-winning campaign in 2017.
The Three Lions take on Greece and Finland next week having obtained maximum points from their opening two Nations League fixtures.
Carsley’s first game in charge saw England claim a 2-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland in Dublin before winning by the same scoreline against Finland at Wembley last month.
The Nations League group stage is rounded off in November with England travelling to Greece before facing the Irish at Wembley.
Carsley is set to be given the Nations League campaign as an audition to get the England job full time.
It’s understood he’s the frontrunner for the post despite a number of big names in management, including Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Graham Potter, previously being linked with the job.
The 50-year-old was previously the Under-21s boss and guided the Young Lions to European Championship success in the summer of 2023.
If he gets the job, he’ll succeed Gareth Southgate, who experienced huge success as England boss with two European Championship finals and a spot in the World Cup semi-finals to boast amongst his other achievements in the role.
Carsley made a number of surprise selections for his first England squad, handing first call-ups for Newcastle’s Tino Livramento, Lille’s Angel Gomes, Chelsea’s Noni Madueke and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White.
If the Football Association decides not to hire Carsley then they may look to former Chelsea and Brighton boss Potter, who didn’t exactly rule himself out of contention.
Asked about the England links earlier this week, Potter joked: “I think it’s time for a commercial break, isn’t it?!
“As an Englishman, of course it’s a fantastic job and I’m supportive of FA and what they decide to do and whoever the next coach is.
“Gareth did a fantastic job and I’m sure Lee will in his time, however long that is.”