James Hill earns first England call-up as Ezri Konsa misses Croatia match

James Hill has received his first senior England call-up, with the Bournemouth defender joining Thomas Tuchel’s squad as Ezri Konsa is ruled out of the Nations League match against Croatia. England confirmed the addition on Tuesday, November 10, saying the 24-year-old had previously represented the country at under-20 and under-21 level.

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Konsa remains on an individual programme and is due to resume full training later this week before England travel to Spain, according to the national team’s update. BBC Sport reported that the Arsenal defender hurt his knee against Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Wednesday. Despite that setback, he completed Saturday’s league victory over Hull. His absence has been confirmed for Croatia, not for both internationals.

Hill arrives after establishing himself in Bournemouth’s defence. According to BBC Sport, he has played every minute of their Premier League campaign and appeared in each match of the club’s first Europa League season. He joined from Fleetwood in January 2022 and made just 24 appearances during his first three and a half years, before becoming a regular last season as Bournemouth finished sixth.

His inclusion follows another change at centre-back. England said Dan Burn joined the squad on Monday after Marc Guéhi withdrew through injury. Guéhi had been replaced at half-time in Manchester City’s match at Nottingham Forest and will stay with his club. Burn, who has 11 senior caps, linked up with Tuchel’s players at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground.

Hill is not the only newcomer in the November group. England’s squad announcement also included first senior selections for Borussia Dortmund’s Jobe Bellingham and Fulham’s Josh King, both stepping up from the under-21s. Djed Spence and Declan Rice returned after missing the previous camp through injury, while Ben White was selected for the first time since March.

The defensive changes come with England’s Nations League qualification still to be settled. The team’s official squad announcement says a draw against Croatia would secure a quarter-final place. England then face Spain in Madrid on Sunday. To finish first in the group, they must win both remaining matches and finish with a better goal difference than Spain.