Lee Carsley opens door for Ben White's return to England squad

England interim manager Lee Carsley has addressed the situation surrounding Arsenal defender Ben White, who has been absent from the national team for nearly two years.

White, who withdrew from the England squad during the 2022 World Cup and later requested not to be considered for selection, remains on the periphery of England’s plans under Carsley.

White’s absence from the England squad was attributed to a falling out with then-assistant coach Steve Holland.

Joshua Zirkzee could be instrumental in convincing Manchester United's high profile targets

Since his withdrawal, the Premier League defender has not featured for the Three Lions, with only four senior caps to his name since his debut in 2021.

Despite his notable performances at the club level, White’s return to the national team has been uncertain.

Carsley, who took over from Gareth Southgate on an interim basis, has not included White in the squad for England’s recent Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

After England’s 2-0 victory over Finland, Carsley was asked about the possibility of White’s return for the October internationals.

Jamal Musiala has opened up about temptations to join Manchester United following persuasion from a new 'Red Devils' striker.

«I’ve not planned to speak to Ben White prior to the October fixtures,» Carsley stated.

«We discussed his situation during squad selection. As it stands, he asked not to be contacted. However, if his stance changes, we would reconsider his inclusion.»

Carsley emphasized the importance of competition for places within the squad, noting that having a broad pool of players to choose from is beneficial for team performance.

«Every player eligible to play for England is under consideration,» Carsley added. «The more players we have available, the better it is for us.»

In the interim, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has been used as the starting right-back for England, marking a shift from his previous role as a midfielder under Southgate during Euro 2024.

While White remains a notable absence from the current squad, Carsley’s open approach suggests that a potential return could be on the horizon if the defender expresses a willingness to rejoin the national setup.