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Ben Gibson gets 1st England call-up; Smalling leaves camp

Action Images via Reuters / Lee Smith Livepic

Ben Gibson will be given the opportunity to rehash his promising England Under-21 defensive partnership with John Stones on the senior stage.

The Middlesbrough centre-half has been called into national team camp for the first time ahead of Sunday's visit from Lithuania, as manager Gareth Southgate looks to address the void left by injuries to Manchester United duo Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, along with Gary Cahill's suspension.

The Football Association confirmed that Smalling has returned to his club, leaving a likely back three to be selected from Gibson, Stones, Michael Keane, and Eric Dier.

Southgate's new-look backline was safeguarded by Cahill, Smalling and Keane in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at Germany. Despite not gaining a positive result in the friendly, the 3-4-2-1 setup - and the performances of international novices Keane and Jake Livermore - were lauded by many fans and the media.

That system should be redeployed for the Lithuania bout, with England currently atop World Cup qualification Group F on 10 points. Meanwhile, second-placed Slovenia, currently two points short of the sextet's summit, travels to a Scotland side facing fresh criticism after Wednesday's 1-1 home draw against Canada.

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